Early Times Bottled-in-Bond vs Cooper's Craft Barrel Reserve BLIND REVIEW | The BEST Value Bourbon?

[@tragic504]

My friend bought a case when he heard Early times was being discontinued. I bought one from him yesterday for $20 the brown foreman version.

[@adamthomas9107]

I lucked out and picked up a case a month ago....😊

[@69CamaroSS]

@@adamthomas9107 me too!! 🥃🥃

[@stuffandwhiskey]

After filming this several weeks ago we started looking into the Brown Forman vs. Sazerac Early Times debate and landed in a similar spot as expressed by Troy at kzbin.info/www/bejne/pKCnmYeYqbelj9k Bottled-in-bond is the biggest point to be made here. Variance in bottles for the next few years are likely due more to flavor drift between batches than a change in the distillate itself. That said, we’ll still have a head-to-head between the two bottles at some point, but for now we’d both have altered our retail scores based on the great price and ease of availability of Early Times in our market.

[@thomashobbes8786]

Well, there you go, making sense and all. What fun is that? :D Keep up the great work. Best reviewers in the 'verse!

[@tragic504]

In Dfw area I seen Early Times BIB range from $17-$23 and easily available.

[@tragic504]

I never seen Coopers Craft in our market.

[@stuffandwhiskey]

@@tragic504 it’s definitely not everywhere (yet). Distribution problems that they’ll hopefully fix.

[@ScottSagamoreRye]

We have both Coopers and E.T. in Ohio, and SLB had a flight fight between both BF and Saz of E.T. BF won by a hair. Worth watching. You probably don't know which distiller made your E.T., do you? Maybe I should finish watching 👀

[@Over_Taxed_USA]

ET BiB is outstanding for price point! It just needs to get a little air to it to open up

[@brucemolinar9501]

Erin is correct and right for this blind fight, Coopers Craft is awesome for the price and better taste than the ET. Go Erin!

[@robertstrickland2121]

Bourbon judge just posted the old vs new comparison

[@stuffandwhiskey]

Heading over to watch now. After filming this we looked further into it, and because of bottled-in-bond laws, we suspect flavor drift between batches is likely responsible for any differences over the next few years. Can’t wait to see what the Judge says!

[@billjoynes3433]

Coopers craft is $27 all day long on my market. I like the mouth feel, palette, and finish. Good for a cheap whiskey. Interested in tasting the new Sazerac version of Early Times..

[@stuffandwhiskey]

Agreed, Bill. Check our pinned comment too by the way. We filmed this some weeks ago and have since taken quite an interest in unpacking the Brown Forman vs. Sazerac question.

[@timmbottoni3135]

Fun video! I don't see either of those here in IL, but I got a Coopers from a friend and I think its pretty good for $30, but not something I would hunt down of course. When we toured the Barton's 1792 distillery last year, the guide told us they bought the Early Times brand, including the recipes and umpteen barrels of stock so hopefully he was being honest. If so then that means there could be more years of the original Bottled in Bond for a while until they start making it themselves. We tasted the Early Times Whiskey and didn't like it (which is on the shelves here). We were a bit bummed that they were out of the Barton's Chocolate Bourbon Ball Cream because that is also something we can't get here. Hoping ET BiB stays the same (or maybe gets even better) for those who like and can get it. Cheers!

[@stuffandwhiskey]

It getting better would be something, wouldn’t it!? We’re going to hope for the same. We do prefer 1792 BiB to the current Early Times BiB so it’s possible.

[@ljdattilo]

Gobbled up a case after hearing Saz bought ET BiB, so good

[@drgallup]

I've got 3 Brown Forman ET BiB, it's a steal and I;m going to hit up 2 stores tomorrow to see if I can get more.

[@davereitzel9528]

Watching in 2023….. have a BF ET BiB, Sas ET BiB, and just picked up a Coopers Craft in North Carolina last week on a trip….. I will be doing my comparison. BTW….. have been a fan of the channel for a while

[@stuffandwhiskey]

That’s a fun comparison for sure, especially if you do it blind. Cheers and thanks for watching!

[@jimidrammer4187]

The bloopers at the end are money! Erin wearing your glasses all serious about her scores. I had one bottle of the BF ET BiB right before the swap but they bought the maturing stock so no worries yet. Keep on keepin; on, y'all are hitting your stride. 10K by end of summer!

[@stuffandwhiskey]

Thanks so much Jimi. Cheers!

[@briancthayer]

Barton guys told us while we were on tour last month that the sazerac version of the whiskey won’t be in bottles for a year or so. Even new bottles still have BF stock in them. (Barton is also owned by Sazerac)

[@stuffandwhiskey]

Solid point. We looked deeper into it after filming this video and bottled-in-bond pretty much guarantees Brown Forman distillate for the next stretch of time. Flavor drift between batches is definitely a thing though and likely the culprit of any difference. Cheers and thanks for watching Brian!

[@robr.3679]

The “C’mon bro” spoke to everyone hunting bottles out there. Looking forward to the Sazerac ET/CC 100 face off!

[@stuffandwhiskey]

We're actually enjoying the Sazerac-bottled Early Times *more* than the Brown Forman bottle of Early Times we have (richer and darker flavor profile). It'll be VERY interesting when this matchup pops up double blind again.

[@noah_d_turtle1435]

Early Times BIB is $22.99-$25.99 in my market(Colorado). I grab a bottle when I can, so far it’s still Brown-Forman and haven’t seen a Sazerac yet.

[@twentyfiveyears5010]

Another possible explanation for the difference between the BF and Saz versions of ET BIB--even if they are using existing BF stock--is that Saz has widened their ET BIB distribution (for example, it's available in CA for the first time), meaning they need more barrels, meaning Saz might be using barrels that BF would not. OR, just that Saz's blender's palate is different from BF's blender's palate.

[@duckontherun932]

Never seen Coopers craft on the shelves, at least not here in TX.

[@stuffandwhiskey]

There’s definitely some markets that just don’t have distribution (yet) unfortunately.

[@dubltap7216]

I like Coopers Craft. I went to it when I couldn't find Buffalo Trace. It's a great bourbon for $33.

[@iess2006]

May I kindly suggest u try the OGD BiB...I'm always shocked at the value and I like it better for cocktails than OGD 114.

[@JC_Chappy]

Now that I know that the Sazerac bottle is most likely the same juice as the Brown Foreman due to the restrictions for BiB program, I have no issues grabbing a bottle. It's not always available and my local store has a buy one limitation.

[@imoffthegrid2158]

Neither of these are available here in Northern Illinois. It's confusing how availability in the market place works. Kentucky is a boarder state with us .🤔

[@stuffandwhiskey]

Distribution is a strange thing to be sure. We wish we had answers but it makes no sense to us either.

[@catchacoolbreeze]

Cool comparison! Did you get a bad bottle of Cooper's Craft? It seems you all like it much more as of recent.

[@stuffandwhiskey]

Would have to rewatch but Cooper’s Craft is one we find we really have to be in the mood for. Sometimes we like it a lot for the money and other times not so much.

[@mrpapinchock]

The bottles are both different shapes and there’s a spelling difference in the WHISKY vs WHISKEY. The Saz ETBiB gives me a Barton 1792 profile.

[@toddalexander5517]

I’m new, and not wealthy enough to get the higher end bourbons, but for what I’m willing to pay, Early Times bottle in bond has been my favorite. A very very close second would be either Old Forester 100 or Wild Turkey 101.

[@dfanman1]

I'm fairly new to bourbon and whiskey, but have 55 - 60 bottles to my collection and I have never seen a bottle of Early Times Bottled in Bond or Cooper's Craft. Great video guys! Oh, and I've heard that the new Early Times is not as good as the old.

[@stuffandwhiskey]

Thanks for watching and that’s a heck of a lineup for being fairly new! Check our pinned comment if you’re curious about more info on old vs new Early Times. We still need to get a new one to compare.

[@chrisphillips909]

Confused. Sazerac bought Early Times which is BIB. Did none of the Brown Foreman bourbon go to Sazerac? Is all of the new Early Times BIB 4 year bourbon strictly from Sazerac?

[@stuffandwhiskey]

Great question Chris. Check our pinned comment for more info. We hadn’t given the acquisition much thought until this matchup popped up but we have more details in the pinned comment. Cheers and thanks for watching!

[@69CamaroSS]

ET BIB….yep, I bought a CASE when I heard they sold out to Saz!!!! 12 bottles should hold me a while…..it’s my first and last pour….break in the palate, then pour something to savor, then back to ET BIB for any subsequent pours. 😉🥃

[@stuffandwhiskey]

That’s a solid strategy if you ask us. Cheers!

[@adamthomas9107]

Grabbed a case as well... it's my go to!

[@OZtheShark]

Excited about this one :)

[@blindsquirrel3123]

Brining a little Ricky Bobby there at the end. Respect

[@dawson0000]

ETB BiB is my go to sipper. Here in OR it is sup $20 for a litter bottle. The Sazarac verson probably won't hit the selves for a while because of the bottle in bond, 4 year age statement.

[@stuffandwhiskey]

After filming this, we got to thinking about it, and we think you might be right Joe. Check our pinned comment. Cheers and thanks for watching!

[@travissmith1303]

Saz ET and Coopers Craft taste almost identical to me other than a heavier oak on CC

[@thomashobbes8786]

Grabbed 4 of the Brown-Forman ET BiB (plastic cap) last month once I heard that the Saz version (metal cap, like Weller) is not as tasty (some say really really not as tasty).

[@kennystephens1165]

I got my first ET that was the new one and was not impressed at all. EW BiB or WT 101 for me are personally better. Or go big on the KC 9 or SB.

[@kirbyculp3449]

The Saz ET BiB is a disappointment.

[@stuffandwhiskey]

Love the old/new Early Times discussion. After filming this we looked deeper into it and think it might be far more likely that any difference (for now) is batch flavor drift rather than anything else (the same thing happened on the new bottling of Wild Turkey 101). Check our pinned comment for more thoughts if it’s a topic of interest.

[@Abby_Normal_1969]

Cooper's Craft is a favorite of mine, especially at that price point. Early Times Bottled in Bond isn't avavailable in my corner of the world.

[@89sooner]

Classic pairing. As The Bourbon Judge joined in on the Early Times BiB comparison vids a couple of hours after this dropped, I had to add a Saz pour to these two. These blinds are showing a lot about the old Early Times BiB for y'all,...weren't you once meh on it? Now you can join the weeping and gnashing of teeth over the vanishing BF bottles. I agree with your rankings, and put the Saz bottle about even with the CC bottle (which like 1920 is my 2nd bottle, as y'alls Whiskey Tube peers have me questioning my palate there...Jack Daniels BPSB is next for a rebuy). I have two BF backups, and know where to get more, but probably won't in the Rare Breed, Stellum, Wilderness Trail yellow, OGD 114, and various store picks world I live in. And that $25 ($23 here) is for a liter!!!

[@stuffandwhiskey]

We’ve definitely come around on it as more air has gotten into the bottle, which begs the question of just how the new Sazerac batches are being compared to long since opened Brown Forman bottles. Can’t wait to watch the Judge’s video. We’ve become quite invested in this conversation as we’ve continued to revisit this bottle.

[@89sooner]

@@stuffandwhiskey So far the Junkies take was the hottest…with the most recency bias. My Saz bottle is at maybe just over half, and my open BF bottle is in a decanter, so the voyage continues, and regardless, nothing will stop me from dipping back in in a year or so. The question I have is that Saz bought the existing Early Times stocks, and it has only been a year or so of aging time…how crucial is blending to profile and such? Last weekends I watched a couple of Bourbon Pursuit Jackie Zykan videos, and it is fascinating how the exact same juice in various spots over time can make so many different expressions. Obviously true for WT and so many others.

[@stuffandwhiskey]

@@89sooner blending is definitely a HUGE part of the equation for sure. How that’ll bear out over time, we’ll just have to see. Sounds like a great excuse to buy and taste more Early Times though. 🥃

[@roscoepcoltrane23]

My coopers must be bad because I don’t care for it at all. I have the old early times and like it a lot. Would like to try another coopers just to see.

[@danlins5109]

My two go-tos! Great battle. I’m team Erin. Can’t go wrong with either for the price.

[@bourbon-rondezvous]

This one was a shock because I've seen so much good about Coopers Craft 100...I'm hunting that one currently. I've got Early times on the shelf, but I have no idea if it's BF or SZ,

[@stuffandwhiskey]

It’s always been great for one of us (Erin) and increasingly “off” for one of us (Josh). If your Early Times has a black plastic cap it’s Brown Forman and if it’s blue metal it’s Sazerac, but check out pinned comment for more info.

[@TRob_1964]

The old BF bottles have a black plastic cap. the new Sz had a blue metal cap

[@miked8236]

Sipping on a BF Early Times as I watch this. Honestly it’s so tasty, I’m so happy I have it! On the other hand I’ve been FoMoIng Cooperscraft, and I can’t find it where I live. If I ever find it I’ll probably buy it just to experience it. Looking for a honey hole 🕳 that has the BF product on the shelf. Great review as usual, Cheers!!

[@jimbrady7030]

Cheers!

[@stuffandwhiskey]

Cheers Jim!

[@brettheiner7125]

Interesting - I’m usually pretty well aligned with Josh’s palate. I like Cooper’s a great deal better than he did. I don’t care for many bottles under $50, but it’s pretty solid. Cheers!

[@stuffandwhiskey]

Cooper’s Craft will be on the channel quite a bit in the coming weeks. Stay tuned.

[@brettheiner7125]

@@stuffandwhiskey - I watch ‘em all - you two do a truly great job!!

[@TRob_1964]

I much prefer ET BIB to the Coppers Craft 100. I can still find the old style ET in my area, but the new ones are showing up on the shelves now. I have tried both the old and new ET BiB bottles in a blind, and the old bottle was far superior to the new bottle in my opinion. I am hoarding the old style bottles where I can find them (I have 6 put away so far).

[@stuffandwhiskey]

Cheers to that, Tim. BTW check our pinned comment. We’re super curious about the old/new Early Times discussion after this matchup popped up.

[@detroyt232323]

Funny how they say this about the black cap but a year later he is pounding the drum that the new Sazerac is better 🤔

[@stuffandwhiskey]

Huh? Every bottle of the metal cap Early Times we’ve had has been better than the previous black cap versions to our palates.

[@detroyt232323]

@stuffandwhiskey different blends you're comparing aired out bottles to neck pours I'm guessing. Are you doing blinds? It's the SAME JUICE! Huh

[@stuffandwhiskey]

@@detroyt232323 same base whiskey. Different blenders. End product tastes different as a result. If batches like Wild Turkey 101 show flavor drift over time with the same whiskey and same blenders, completely different blenders definitely make a difference. Backed up by ours and many other blinds by many other channels.

[@detroyt232323]

@stuffandwhiskey yeah I saw that one you guys did! Can definitely attest to the 101, I had one bottle was so cinnamon forward you would've sworn it was Fireball inside.

[@justinbeisner3053]

What did you deliver? You said you delivered in 2014.

[@stuffandwhiskey]

Josh here. I used to be a UPS delivery driver back in the day (and still drive for the company, just transferred to tractor trailers).

[@justinbeisner3053]

Haha cool! I was wondering cause I work USPS as mail carrier and I thought maybe you were saying you delivered mail lol! UPS is a great job! That’s cool

[@WhiskeyKnows]

OMG!! you two are Great and too Funny!! Love you both

[@stuffandwhiskey]

You the best, Marty. We appreciate the heck outta you!

[@877-MASH-NOW]

ZOMBIE HUNTER WHISKEY CHEERS 🧟‍♀️🧟‍♂️

[@jasonwhite4167]

I prefer Coopers Craft BIB over the Early Times BIB, both worth purchase for the price all day long, CC Chisling of the barrel likely makes the difference... you guys are the best btw

[@stuffandwhiskey]

Thanks so much Jason. Cheers and thanks for watching!

[@markwood2452]

Cooper’s Craft makes a decently delicious Old Fashioned. Give it a try.

[@markwood2452]

Also totally get the banana on the nose but Cooper’s Craft 100 proof has that iced tea palate note I find in 1910 that Erin seems to like. Probably one of the reasons she likes it. I dig it too. Great price and they do a great job eliminating youthful notes with the barrel scoring/charring technique.

[@topdog3781]

The early times from Brown-Forman he’s gonna be around for at least another two years no matter what the label says Sazerac purchase the inventory and bottle and bond has the age for at least four years so keep buying it no matter what the label says

[@stuffandwhiskey]

That’s what we’re thinking. We looked deeper into it after filming this one and bottled-in-bond pretty much guarantees Brown Forman distillate for the next few years. Great point!

[@jacklub6343]

Josh went full hipster for this episode lol.

[@stuffandwhiskey]

Haha! Thanks for watching Jack. Cheers!

[@OZtheShark]

I got ‘em :)

[@donaldalderman2424]

I love Cooper's Craft. I get heavy banana from it. Almost banana laffy taffy.

[@stuffandwhiskey]

That’s a very accurate description if you ask us. Cheers and thanks for watching Donald!

[@davevogelsang6791]

Catching up on old episodes I missed. I have Early Times BIB bottles of both black screw cap and blue screw cap, as well as Cooper’s Craft 100. I really like all 3. I blinded the 2 ET BIB twice, and both times, I picked the black cap. (But still will buy the blue cap going forward) Love your channel. 🥃

[@stuffandwhiskey]

Love it Dave! Out of curiosity, what was it about the flavor profile of the black cap that you liked over the blue cap? We've heard a lot of people say they prefer the black cap, but our black cap bottles have all tasted a bit thinner and sharper with a much brighter fruit (banana) profile compared to our blue cap bottles which have all had a much more rounded, bold, rich (leaning more cherry cola) flavor profile.

[@davevogelsang6791]

@@stuffandwhiskey I am one who likes the fruitier/banana profile currently. May be why I like all things Old Forester too.

[@jl4560]

Your wife is a hut. Putting pants on one leg at a time was great. So your saying Sazerac will be the new Early Time? Is there a time frame for this to happen? Great show.

[@stuffandwhiskey]

Thanks Jay! It’ll be a few years for any real change by most accounts. Bottled-in-bond necessitates four years of aging at a minimum.

[@topdog3781]

But I disagree Coopers craft is my go to

[@travissmith1303]

Give me these at the same price point and Coopers Craft wins all day long.

[@ericamiles2641]

Early Times all the way. I was not a fan of the Cooper’s Craft.