Shenk's Homestead Bourbon & Bomberger's Declaration Bourbon Reviews! Which one should you buy?

[@fileep131]

I purchased my first Shenk's today for MSRP. Got home and it fell to the concrete one step before entering the house. I almost cried as I cleaned up my garage. I must say it has one of the best aromas I have ever smelled. This is my first dropped bottle, i'm keeping the cork as a momento.

[@arty712]

Sorry dude, that is horrifying. I hope you’ve since recovered and scored something good in the meantime.

[@fileep131]

@@arty712 not as nice but I've gotten a 1792 Full proof store pick, Bookers Apprentice batch and a Knob Creek 12. i'll manage LOL

[@Josh-ed5ct]

Dude I always think about this when I'm walking to the house from my car...RIP lol. Looks like you are doing fine though, still haven't tried knob creek 12!

[@fileep131]

@@Josh-ed5ct KC 12 for under $75 is a Win all day long.

[@joshaustin7419]

Bro I am so sorry to hear that! I literally wrapped mine in a towel as I got in my car with it and unravelled in house scared of this exact scenario!

[@AmazingLargemouthCatcherGuys]

I laughed at your comment at 10:50. Not only did I not know there was malted rye in the whiskey... I didn't even know what these were last year. I walked into a store that them both on the shelf for $110. I didn't know anything about them so I passed. I've since learned what they are and sort of wish now that I'd have grabbed them when I had the chance.

[@jonathanlee2775]

I was just in Louisville a month ago and stopped by Michters. They had a package deal where you could get Shenk and Bomberger together, but they were the 2023 releases. Since I have never been able to buy either of these bottles I decided to buy them. After watching your review of the 2024 bottles and going back and wathing this review of the 2023 bottles, I am so glad that I got the 2023 releases b/c I also like those tofee / butterscotch notes. Looking forward to creating my own ShenkBerger this weekend. Cheers and keep creating great content to keep us here in WhiskeyTubeville entertained.

[@thepope9794]

I found Bombergers in the plenty. So I bought a case. I'm so glad I did for the price point. Great pour. Love the spice hit on the palate. Great video.

[@djbeacon6895]

Jason, thanks for the great comparison and H2H. Just picked up my first, the 2023 Bomberger. CHEERS!

[@doubleg2475]

I’m lucky to have both 2023 bottles. Love them both and Shenk’s probably edges out Bombergers by a hair for me. I think Michter’s sour mash is a great alternative to Shenk’s. IMO, Shenk’s is an amped up version of the sour mash.

[@micntr]

Great review. Just picked up both today along with EC toasted barrel as cherry on top. Super excited to try!

[@mcw2553]

Last year's Shenk's was beautiful, really complex and the higher rye content was noticeable without overpowering everything else. The Bomberger's just tasted younger and sharper to me. Hopefully these make it over to Europe again this year.

[@a68freak]

First time I saw a Shanks at a big retail store and I passed on it because you don't really rave about them. Had to do research and of course it was too late. Thanks for doing a review hope I come across it again some day.

[@KarlMason-rx9cu]

Great review. Just picked up a shenk’s, gonna have to acquire a Bomberger now just to experience the infamous shenkberger.

[@ratchet44455]

I would recommend Elijah Craig toasted barrel as an alternative to the schenks. I see it everywhere now and it's consistently like 65 bucks. 94 proof so comparable there.

[@apeekintime]

Really? They taste nothing alike to me.

[@ratchet44455]

@@apeekintime I think they're similar enough - both low proofed, finished in oak with schenks being French oak vs toasted American oak, 91 proof vs 94 proof, both very sweet and chocolatey flavor profiles imo. I much prefer the schenks tho

[@tommyjohn_45]

Bummed I missed out on picking these up for $209 for the pair (in MA). Rare to even see them available outside of a raffle.

[@gregg9448]

They must have just released them for the year because I walked into Total Wine two days ago and saw them both sitting on the shelf. The Shenk’s was $110 and the Bomberger’s was $100.

[@FrogPondBrewery1]

Got lucky and got a Bomberger's today. Looking forward to trying it.

[@jimpaul3491]

Just found a Shenks on the shelf in ATL area for slightly over retail. They only had 2 bottles this year.

[@robgionfriddo7362]

Looks like these are finally starting to drop in MD. Saw a lone bottle of Bomberger's yesterday for $110 and grabbed it. Then found both Bomberger's and Shenk's at another local store for $150 each. Left those for someone else.

[@TandATravel]

Man wish I would have seen this earlier today, I saw both of them today and passed on them. I didn't know much about them. Hopefully they will be there tomorrow

[@apeekintime]

Bombergers has one of my favorite whiskey profiles. Sweet with zero fruit notes on the nose for me. Basically, smells like candy and comes across as butterscotch on the palate to me. It's different than the caramel and creamy notes you get on some bourbons. Also one of the very few whiskey's my wife has enjoyed.

[@stepandemidkin7450]

Had a choice between shenks and bombergers today and went for shenks based on your notes 🍻

[@MichaelDKmann]

So happy you did this review Jason, after a couple of years looking for these finally snagged the pair this year. Love your whiskey content and it sounds like these are better than your previous double bass of Shenk's and bomberger's. Also when it comes to Zbiotics I think it would be awesome to win the 12 pack because the science sounds super intriguing but it also makes me super skeptical to buy it myself without trying it first.

[@OutsideTheStar]

I got a bottle of Bombergers (Batch 23E1940) and it was so impressive i got a backup. Definitely more my profile. It’s in my top 10 whiskeys OTY so far. Awesome review cheers 🥃

[@bendavis2967]

On point review Jason! Picked up a Bombergers today and it didn’t disappoint!

[@BourbonBunker]

Another great review. Thank you. I just picked up a Bombergers and hopefully that my contact can get me a Shenks. Shenks like more of my flavor profile. Cheers!

[@robertbooth3367]

Literally just picked up both of these yesterday. 1st bottle of each. Unfortunately in my area, prices are usually in the $200 range so always been a pass. Found them yesterday at $140, so pulled the trigger. Watching your review tells me it'll be worth it - at least for a one time purchase. Will always grab them if I ever see any at msrp. Great, honest review as always from Jason C 👏 Really looking forward to my first Schenkberger!!

[@Setking23]

Love it I was deciding between which one to get

[@Subourbon]

just got the Bombergers for a buck and a Quarter. had asip and it is da bomb.

[@sdf1975]

Good review. I’m sipping on Bombergers and paid about $150 out the door. It’s good but I think I paid a bit too much. Tasty though. I passed on the Shenks but maybe that was a mistake.

[@mikecunha2823]

Love Z-biotics me a few friends use them every weekend when we overindulge in spirits and cigars.

[@roddrobinski8655]

Was just wondering what the deal was with using malted rye in bourbon? Just saw a new Remus SB with 51 corn, 39 rye and 10 malted rye.

[@austinscott2577]

Great review. I have always like Bombergers, and am lucky to have a couple of them open at home.

[@mero40k]

Had a few pours at a bar early 2020 of Bombergers, Woodford Batch 2020 and Parkers Curacao and while not exactly analogous, the Bombergers was my favorite with an 8/10. Im sure some will say thats high but I guess it just hit my palate right.

[@TheMashandDrum]

Your palate is your palate. Your never wrong. It's what you like. Last year I liked the bombergers over the shenks.

[@justinjenkins598]

Team Shenk’s all the way. The 2019 was cotton candy. Like both but couldn’t believe I leaned more shenks’s.

[@holysmokescharles]

The distillers said this was the first year they all liked the Shenks more than the Bombergers as well. Great stuff

[@GreenHuedChair]

Really? I definitely preferred the Bomberger's out of these two, but I haven't tried any of the prior releases which might factor in.

[@KennethRathburn]

Bomberger's is one of my top 3 most desired bottles this year, just behind Four Roses LE and Michter's BS Rye. Only times I see it is for over $200, and although I know I love it, $200 is a bit much for me. Also wondering how a Double Bass of Shenk's vs Kentucky Owl Confiscated would pan out. Both are NAS, a bit above 90 proof, cost is in the $90-$150 range (if not more), and when I tried Confiscated about a month ago I was pleasantly surprised.

[@yourhuckleberry7480]

Always love all the information you provide. Cheers!

[@josephpatrow]

Recently got both of them and both are very tasty! No regrets.

[@ryand7764]

Just had a chance at one of these yesterday. I went with Russells 13. Wish I would have seen this video earlier. Not sure if it would have changed my decision, but it would have been nice to have more info to consider.

[@TheMashandDrum]

Russells 13 is still better than both of these.

[@ryand7764]

@@TheMashandDrum Yeah, if they had a Jack 12 it may have been a closer call, but still would have gone with the Russells

[@jasellsrealtygroup_boston]

What about old Medley 12 yr; to compare with Shenks?

[@GoneFishin5]

I just picked up the 22’ releases for both and cannot wait to get them out. Great review!

[@bryanmacke]

I just got the 22 Bomberger as well but haven’t cracked it. How is it?!

[@JohnWalker-dn1qt]

The 2-pack of them that they put out at the distillery is $240.

[@umami0247]

Most likely won’t see these but one can hope. I’m a big fan of ryes so I’m sure both of these would work nicely for me. Enjoy!!

[@davidvoth7218]

Have you been able to review Michter's 10 Year Rye?

[@jreezy70]

Your Bombergers review sounds a little like Little Book Chapter 7 release, would love to see your review of that Little Book (I think it’s delicious). Heard Chapter 6 wasn’t great, but the 7 is really good!

[@TheMashandDrum]

Have a little book on the way

[@jreezy70]

@@TheMashandDrum looking forward to your review 👊🏻🥃

[@GreenHuedChair]

How would you compare the 2023 Bomberger's to last year's? I thought this year's was incredibly good, but I wasn't able to try last year's, which seemed to be universally praised. Did the addition of the malted rye change the profile much?

[@TheMashandDrum]

I think it did a bit. It was less toffee and more savory to me. But I still liked it. I think I liked last years a bit better.

[@alphonsemontavon4455]

Shenkburger -sour MASH&DRUM select !!!!!!

[@johnmorgan233]

Never heard of either one

[@Brad-ic4bp]

Shenk's is my favorite whiskey, but not worth paying $200+ to an online third-party web site seller. I'd love to try the 2023, but I'll wait until it's no more than $200 on Frootbat or Caskers.

[@UltrahotPeppers]

Thanks for the info Jason!

[@timbuma3693]

Would you choose either of these over a Mitchers 10?

[@TheMashandDrum]

No

[@dev89in]

Zbiotics is a game changer! Can’t do anything big drinking without them.

[@DavidBurkett-x5d]

Does Zibotics have anything for all the adds?

[@sheepdog5]

shenks alternative is michters sour mash...

[@bryanmacke]

Dude, where y’all gettin these fresh background beats?! Scott at MBJ had some nice beats but didn’t know what it was called. I need some chill instrumental beats like this! Please advise Jason if u can! Thx and cheers bro 🥃

[@TheMashandDrum]

Music provided by: www.epidemicsound.com

[@Danny_Spirits]

Great review

[@jasellsrealtygroup_boston]

It’s a Pass for me sir. Great review and thx

[@Klugen]

I've found them once, $300 a piece at some mom & pop in Illinois. Would love to get my hands on them but hell no at that price.

[@BatchAndBloom]

😂Shenk Burger, I prefer the greatest bourbon actor in Kentucky, Mr. Bomb Henks. Great review as always.

[@michaelespinosa9168]

I’d take seagrass over both

[@bourbonbill]

I just released my review today and we almost agreed lol. I love the Bombergers as I have the past couple years but I think the shenks while decent is a miss at it’s price point.

[@johnshenk-vm2ic]

Given that my last name is Shenk, I think I'll pay more, if i can ever find it!

[@877-MASH-NOW]

WHISKEY CHEERS 🍻

[@venividi9603]

🥃🥃🥃

[@midas89h]

Which one should you buy? Ha! Like you're actually going to see either one at a Virginia ABC store! 😡

[@mackal]

Saw them yesterday, both were $200 + a store pick ... edit: it was $200 each

[@gregs7375]

Typically pass on these, even at retail, due to the lack of transparency

[@whiskeyberger5029]

No, no, no. No #Shankberger. I have enough people who would prefer me gone already.

[@dbealby]

#shenkberger

[@JoeLouis46]

None maybee bombs

[@rthilson]

Neither worth the $

[@LeatherDaddy97]

I definitely prefer the bombergers out of the two historically. I get a lot of pecan pie on it. The shenks is nice but a little too light for me given the price tag.

[@WhiskeyRow]

I totally agree, I much prefer the Bomberger's

[@joshaustin7419]

I just picked up both $299 total, worth it? Absolfrigginlutey because I will literally never see them on the shelf ever again.