Is Russell's 13 Overrated? | Blind Russell's Reserve 13 Year vs Private Selection Battle

[@blakestah]

This is a great entry for the double blind. The barrel pick RR are big hitters but slightly lower proof than the 13yr. The RR SB store picks are WAY better values and availability than the 13yr to me. However, I think the WT 12 101 is better than either and can be purchased online at $190 right now.

[@kpmarine10]

Erin. Thank you. You’re a blessing. I’ve been drinking whiskey for years and will never get my hands on a 13 year. I’ve got a Russel SB. It’s whiskey. I applaud your honesty.

[@osamashatat]

Good job leaving the bottle and info on the screen longer and it looks great

[@eviltrain24]

I almost kinda have to assume Erin's palate is having an off day today. But it's good to see that variation happening in situ.

[@stuffandwhiskey]

Maybe. It’s getting increasingly harder for whiskey to impress her though which may well be the case here. Her “middle of the road” is a larger group that most of us nerds. Sometimes all she’s gets is “just whiskey” like here.

[@JaredHardwick]

I actually had a chance to try Russel's 13yr and Wild Turkey 12yr last night and I heavily preferred WT12. Also the best blend I've ever done is Staggle Rare Jr. (50/50 Eagle Rare pick and Stagg Jr. pick). Worth a try IMO.

[@WhiskyForBeginners]

I've had a few things that came with high recommendations which elicited from me the exact reaction Erin's getting on the first glass: It's whiskey. Most of what I've had from Buffalo Trace falls more or less into that category. It's not bad, but it's undistinguished in every respect.

[@1stkazoo754]

“NO, I’M NOT IN A MOOD!!!” 😂😂😂

[@terryleslie2002]

That’s what she said….😂😂😂

[@WhiskeyPop]

In our opinion ya can’t go wrong on a Private barrel Russell’s.

[@stuffandwhiskey]

Preach!

[@eliwilson8242]

Depends on the 13 batch for me. 1-3 are amazing and hold up well

[@tylerboggs612]

I 100% agree in skipping RR13 and paying up for RR15! RR15 is a different animal!!! The FOMO is real on that one!!!

[@trini-xrp1656]

The truth is exposed in double blind ,love it.All the tubers are now doing RRsib, RR13, RR15, & generations .....I can tell them all apart an will chose RR15 .They need to do true double blinds an I bet things change

[@stuffandwhiskey]

True truth. Single blinds can only take you so far. You can’t know what’s in any of the glasses to get a true and honest take.

[@arbeckWA]

I'm not sure what the MSRP of RR13 is now. But when I bought my bottle (batch 2) it was $70. The picks of RR here are $85. So the 13 wasn't priced like it should blow it away. Unfortunately FOMO led people to overpay for the 13 and Campari decided to raise the price.

[@stuffandwhiskey]

Bingo! Hard to fault them for simply putting the prices at where most of the market has shown it’ll pay, but it is important to remember that it was a fairly inexpensive bottle originally.

[@justinwilliams7637]

14:30…Josh is obligated to make it clear to anyone watching that Russell’s 15 has “big brothered” Russell’s 13. In defense of Russell’s 13 (which I’ve always found overrated), Russell’s 15 has big brothered damn near every bottle I own. 😁🥃🥃

[@stuffandwhiskey]

Big facts!

[@Average_BourbonDad]

Are those new glasses? They seem larger and a different shape. I’d love to get my hands on either bottle. Unobtanium in Texas

[@stuffandwhiskey]

Answer is at 18:49 😉 cheers and thanks for watching!

[@Average_BourbonDad]

@@stuffandwhiskey haha. I saw that once I finished the video. Love em!

[@MichaelVanKorn]

Very cool head to head

[@877-MASH-NOW]

WHISKEY CHEERS 😎

[@nickp5511]

Nice battle! I have a store pick that’s slightly better than the 13yr.

[@bullseye0112]

I think once you have a base bourbon like wild turkey rare breed at 50 to $60 you can kind of go from there. The new riff single barrel bourbon is amazing and that is 55 bucks. I'm just wondering past maybe $70 at most what I would actually spend money on for bourbon. Trying to think of a bourbon that is as good as those 60 or under bottles. Maybe Henry Mckenna 10yr which I know is hit or miss for some people but I love that one.

[@arbeckWA]

At a certain point you are paying for production costs. Aging whiskey is expensive and RR13 is going to cost more to produce than rare breed.

[@bullseye0112]

@@arbeckWA oh yeah I totally get that. I had a $300 bottle and it was delicious and super smooth. I got that as a gift I just can't see myself spending more than 70 bucks on a bottle of bourbon regardless of the distillers cost. I guess it's just not worth it to me I'd rather spend my money on other things and still enjoy a tasty bourbon

[@mistermom310]

I do want a Russell's 15

[@jj18057]

Had a pour of rr 13 at a restaurant. I wish i knew what batch but i thought it was horrible.

[@numanuma20]

My dad likes the 13 a lot and he is more like Erin.

[@ChadWinters]

I like good whiskey

[@FrontStraw907]

I think at this point, Erin just flat out does not like whiskey lol

[@stuffandwhiskey]

😂😂

[@stuffandwhiskey]

It’s just really difficult to impress her. It has to be absolutely unreal, world beating whiskey or insanely high value and still good quality. As she says so often, “it’s just whiskey. Not a sunset. What’s the big deal.” 😂

[@numanuma20]

@@stuffandwhiskeyI think she just needs more knitting supplies

[@stuffandwhiskey]

@@numanuma20 😂😂

[@Jeff_Huck]

You hope WT keeps pricing out their avg. working man that built their brand and continues pricing stuff crazy?

[@stuffandwhiskey]

90% of Wild Turkey's catalog is still very affordable (read: cheaper than the competition and better). They're simply expanding their top tier offerings into the higher end space, with quality to boot, which is not something they've done in the past. Having bottles that truly compete with Buffalo Trace Antique Collection offerings for less money is a good thing (because while Turkey's premium limited editions offerings are priced insanely, let's be realistic, unless we win a lottery, none of us are getting Buffalo Trace Antique Collection bottles for cheaper than some of Turkey's high end offerings as of late). If and when Rare Breed goes up to $100+ and Wild Turkey 101 goes up to $60+, then I'm all ears about Turkey pricing themselves out of their own customer base. That's simply not the case though. They continue to make amazing products at all price points, and those price points now happen to include ultra premium offerings now too. Nothing wrong with expanding.