Wild Turkey RARE BREED vs Wild Turkey 101: Bourbon Whiskey Taste Test

[@TheoneGodfather]

Rare Breed is buttery smooth on the tongue and shows it’s heritage going down. I love it.

[@roger80465]

I find very little difference between 101 and Russel's Reserve 10, at least not enough to justify the $10 price difference. But, Rare Breed is a different creature. Love it.

[@TheCrumbyBeard]

Ah interesting! Russel's Reserve 10 is £10 more in the UK than Rare Breed so if it's not much different to 101 I won't bother!

[@tbsmi9546]

I like Russels 10 year- almost black licorice- so not like 101, but I agree nonetheless not worth the extra money

[@MD-kwtx1]

Rare Breed hands down is the better of the two for a daily neat sipper.

[@TheCrumbyBeard]

It certainly is, I just find it so odd that when going side-by-side it's so obviously better, but for some reason I don't enjoy it as much when it's sat solo. But it's still always very enjoyable, that's for sure. Cheers!

[@tbsmi9546]

Solo solo I like 101. Have not done side by side. Will need to do head to head. I like 101’s buttery note

[@diabloclimber]

@@TheCrumbyBeard between the two, I always go to Rare Breed over 101, just my preference of course. Neither is a bad choice, And for the price, 101 is not a bad sipper. The best whiskey is the whiskey you like to drink, the way you like to drink it. Be well all.

[@TheCrumbyBeard]

@@diabloclimber I must admit, since this video Rare Breed has started creeping on me week by week 😆

[@NoFace-Killah]

The direct comparison should be between 101 and Kentucky Spirit. Those two are the same proof and simular taste, with Kentucky Spirit being basically the better version of 101

[@TheCrumbyBeard]

Great shout! But unfortunately Kentucky Spirit doesn’t seem to be available in the UK! So this is the closest we get! Cheers!

[@dehnpeterson5650]

I agree 100% w/ your review! Wild Turkey 101 is the absolute BEST bourbon a it's price point. I do enjoy Russel's 10 year a bit better and Rare Bread even more, however just not enough to spend "often" at the extra price for each. I will ALWAYS have all three on my shelf for comparison & sharing w/ good friends! However, 101 can not be beat for the price and will be my only daily drinker !!!! Cheers!

[@TheCrumbyBeard]

Cheers! Yeah, they've given themselves a bit of an issue with the 101 just being so incredible at such a good price really. But like you say, always good to have the others in anyway...just in case 😅🥃

[@albertomolina3868]

Well stated. All 3 are fantastic with 101 being such a great value for such a tasty drink.

[@josh111981]

To me Rare Breed is more smooth, has more flavor, and has got more bite than the 101 Wild Turkey. I like the Rare Breed one more.

[@TheCrumbyBeard]

It 100% has more flavour, much more development and more sophisticated barrel notes, without question. I think I'm really on the fence between the two. If you ignore the price there's no real argument for the 101, but it's punching so far above its price-point, it does become problematic. That said, I don't think anyone would be disappointed with either of these. Cheers!

[@Longenecker1776]

Rare Breed Rye 🙌🏼 is fantastic, and Non Chill Filtered.

[@TheCrumbyBeard]

I have heard this before, I'll put it on the never-ending list! Cheers!

[@motohead077]

In the U.S. it is filtered. Only the exports are NCF. But the rare breed rye is NCF.

[@christanner3761]

Thank you for posting this entertaining video. I enjoy both these bourbons very much. However, my go to has to be Wild Turkey 101. At my local military liquor shop, I can purchase a 1 liter bottle of Wild Turkey 101 for just $19 (US). So affordable. If my local shop raised the price another $15, I would still buy it because it's so damn good. Thanks.

[@scott931]

I started with the 101 before you were born. When Rare Breed was introduced around 90-91, I tried it...and it became my "go to". I consider it the older, more mature, more successful big brother to 101. Now, if you want a special experience, look for St. Augustine Port Finished Bourbon. I save it only for my most special friends.

[@TheCrumbyBeard]

That sounds incredible. Sadly no signs of availability in the UK right now but I’ll keep an eye out! Cheers!

[@matteoocchipinti7464]

No man… WT101 is a very solid cheap puor…Rare Breed is the best bourbon you can get under 50€ but also better than most under 100€…ovviously the flavour profile is similar but Rare Breed is a different creature.

[@iansammons2730]

Your experience parallels my own. Ive reached for a bottle of rare breed based on reviews and youtube blind tasting wins many times... but when I tried it it was at a bar right after a glass of 101... and I couldn't convince myself it was better than 101... and I thought why would I pay more than twice as much for something that I dont plainly prefer.

[@TheCrumbyBeard]

It really is a bit of an oddity, it so clearly is so much more advanced and sophisticated, but somehow that only comes through in comparison. I know many would disapprove but I found out last week that it makes an exceptional Old Fashioned! Cheers!

[@albertomolina3868]

WT101 great every day! RB is a great weeked and special occasion pour. Generally I prefer scotch but this is my favorite bourbon distillery. Seriously you cannot go wrong with either one. For under $24 WT101 is one of the very best bang for buck of any whiskey, period!

[@TheCrumbyBeard]

I think you're spot on there! Cheers!

[@roscoepcoltrane23]

What’s great about Rare Breed Is they are all different kinda like a single barrel. Great bottle.

[@TheCrumbyBeard]

Very true!

[@prtube1]

I will have to buy another bottle and see, cause the one I have is very, very cinnamon forward. At first I was like, what is this strong flavor and it was bothering me not knowing cause of how strong it was, until my wife was opening a sealed package of cinnamon sticks to use for baking and as soon as I smelled it, there it was. Not a fan, unless I try another one and hopefully won’t be that again.

[@us-eb3info79]

Both are very close very solid.

[@whiskytaste]

Opened video and immediately clicked Like. Great one, I was under the impression you would say 101 is better.

[@TheCrumbyBeard]

Always happy to prove myself wrong! Cheers!

[@GlenLossie]

A very interesting dilemma. I am a scotch drinker and have never liked bourbon, though admittedly never had a premium one. Then, at a whisky tasting an expensive Blantons left me cold. The Rare Breed caught my attention in the 2022 OSWA awards and when it went on sale for $50 Canadian (30 GBP or US$37) I decided to give bourbon another shot. However, before I opened the Rare Breed, I happened to taste the WT 101 at an overseas bar and, sipping it from a small wine glass was quite impressed by it and was really looking forward to tasting the Rare Breed. Months later, when I got home to Canada, I tried the RB and was somewhat disappointed. After watching your video review I wonder if I am in the same position as you are, liking the 101 on its own AND needing it to enjoy the RB. So while the RB was inexpensive on sale I now need to have the 101 on hand to enjoy the RB, thereby nullifying the savings. Anyway, the WT 101 is now on sale here for C$34 (20 GBP or US$25) and will need to buy a bottle to help me appreciate the RB. Ha, ha.

[@TheCrumbyBeard]

Haha, this is definitely an interesting problem to have! I do wonder if with age the RB will open up to the point of standing good on its own, but certainly so far it’s certainly not been the case, though, I must say it makes an absolutely INCREDIBLE Old Fashioned if you’re in to that.

[@DavidWilson-YT]

Not had either recently. Both are good and worth trying. Rare Breed is a definite step up.

[@TheCrumbyBeard]

For sure, still fascinated by how it's kinda the same core whiskey but the Rare Breed just adds to it rather than completely changing it, if that makes sense. Great continuity if nothing else! Cheers David!

[@arymniak1]

Try a blend. 2/3 WT101 1/3 RB116.8. See if you like it.

[@joec6344]

I think you nailed it. Both are favorites of mine. Rare Breed by a nose.

[@TheCrumbyBeard]

Haha cheers! Yeah both are great but Rare Breed just has that depthy charm. Cheers!

[@sandrofazzolari8833]

Both are excellent but rare breed is certainly more complex. Value wise the clear winner is the 101. Thanks 🙏 and kind regards, SF

[@TheCrumbyBeard]

I think you're spot-on with that - often I try them and I see a bigger difference than other times, possibly temperature related? But in any case whilst Rare Breed is certainly the better product, the price of 101 is just untouchable. Cheers!

[@stevestowell-virtue3781]

101 is a bottle I go to quite often. I always keep a bottle of Rare Breed on the shelf but save if for when I have time to really savor it.

[@micahdanielson123]

Funny, you mentioned the rare breed bottle was more spilly, I got Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit which has the same bottle shape and thought it actually poured better.

[@TheCrumbyBeard]

Is that pouring in to Glen Cairn's or wider glasses? I can imagine it is better with a wider glass but it seems to "shoot" it a bit far with the narrow aperture of the Glen. Cheers!

[@TruthOverLies]

I like your review and agree. I prefer a small ice cube in my bold bourbons and it transforms into a much more mellow yet delicious drink. Cheers 🥃

[@TheCrumbyBeard]

Everyone has to drink their whiskey how they like it, that is the only rule! I only opt for ice when in a pub or bar for some reason, very rarely at home unless it's an Old Fashioned. Cheers!

[@Koby616]

Both are great. Rare breed is a bit too strong for me, so add water. It makes it sweeter than wild turkey 101. Rare breed also has 12 year old bourban in the mix thats why it's richer. I agree for the price i would pick 101 more often

[@TheCrumbyBeard]

I need to try it with a splash of water. Most bourbons tend to give off too much ethanol for me once water is added but this could be different!

[@codychavarria6088]

What do you think of the 4 roses?I think it's small badge anyhow the higher proof one?

[@TheCrumbyBeard]

I’ve always really enjoyed Four Roses products but never reviewed any! I have the Small Batch unopened so it’ll make an appearance soon! Cheers! 🥃

[@johnfritz3792]

@@TheCrumbyBeard4 roses is my favorite

[@christinecamley]

Wow! I taste a big difference between Wild Turkey 101 and Rare Breed. I am a single malt scotch lover but I do drink Bourbon and I like Rare Breed a lot. It's superb. I don't bother with the 101. The Rare Breed seems quite different to me. I guess we are all different! Cheers!

[@TheCrumbyBeard]

I keep changing my mind on this! One day they feel very close, the next not at all. I do wonder if it's possible temperature related? For sure I can see all of the 101 notes in Rare Breed, and then Rare Breed has an expansion of high and low notes surrounding that 101 profile, and certainly is a higher quality spirit - but I'm always torn on to wether the price difference is worth it. Cheers!

[@christinecamley]

@@TheCrumbyBeard I understand! I think it's terrific to keep exploring. I often pour a dram of two Bourbons or Scotch single malts and little by little nose and taste the wonderful flavours on my palette and try to tease out the differences! It's fun! Cheers! 🙂

[@captain142-zn5tc]

You should try Rate Breed with just a splash of water. It really opens it up.

[@Molonlabe07]

Heresy

[@andrewspencer6186]

I love both

[@Frank-uf2vn]

You can't go wrong with W/T. I have never had the 81 proof, but the 10 yr., single barrel and the Rare Breed (my fav) are all great bourbons. With the exception of the 101 I wouldn't call the rest of them (affordable) daily sippers. I went to the liquor store to get a bottle of Rare Breed and the price went from $48 to $52 and I said screw that and grabbed a bottle of 101 for $30, the 101 (and that's a 1L bottle) always stays at that affordable price. Even though Rare Breed is my favorite, I do have about 20 bottles that I choose from on the weekends and several lower proofs for the work week. 🥃Cheers!

[@TheCrumbyBeard]

I'm totally with you there. Rare Breed is sensational, and even still really very very good at that price, but with 101 as affordable as it is, it's hard to avoid it! Cheers!

[@sm4sh3d]

My wife just brought me a bottle of Rare Breed from a London airport, it's not easy to find it in most EU countries. I never had a chance to try it before and I gotta say it's truly great and probably my new favorite bourbon

[@TheCrumbyBeard]

I need to re-visit this one again soon. What is your preferred way to drink the Rare Breed?

[@sm4sh3d]

@@TheCrumbyBeard this might be controversial, while this is definitely something that should be enjoyed neat, I also started to use it to make Old Fashioned cocktails,. I know, some people will say it's heresy but whatever, high proof bourbon like this one are fantastic for drinks.

[@TheCrumbyBeard]

@@sm4sh3d I don’t entirely disagree with you on this bottle specifically. It’s got a lot of more developed flavours than others at that price, and others than have similar are just too premium to mix but this I think meets the middle ground.

[@ChadWinters]

The airport version is frequently the non chill filtered version, even better than regular

[@matthewgabbard6415]

There’s older barrels in the Rare Breed I believe. I think it uses 8 to 12 years old

[@bizzmpp]

Had the same feeling. Didn't side by side them but had them within a week of each other and didn't feel the Rare Breed is worth the significant investment.

[@TheCrumbyBeard]

I'm starting to warm to the Rare Breed a bit more now it's been open a while but I must say the gap in quality is questionable to the gap in cost! Cheers!

[@garyrobinson8665]

I've had wild turkey 101 many times I think it's the best value bourbon in the UK. I haven't bought it for a while the last bottle I found the abv a bit overpowering for my pallette I prefer a weaker bourbon at the moment. I won't spend more than double for the rare breed I don't think it will be twice as good as the 101.

[@TheCrumbyBeard]

Rare Breed really improves in the bottle once opened is my experience so far. So much so that I think it at times does feel like it could be worth double the price, but...it's not a guarantee on every sip, so that does become problematic.

[@garyrobinson8665]

@@TheCrumbyBeard I will probably pick it up one day maybe for Christmas or a special occasion.

[@APN34Z]

101 is £35 RB is £55

[@chriskellas2902]

Rare Breed is really hard to beat, at it's price point it's a benchmark for me to judge more expensive whiskeys against.

[@TheCrumbyBeard]

It's certainly a fine benchmark indeed. What other bottle would you say comes closest to it at both cost and quality?

[@SodergrenWoodWorking]

Four roses single barrel🙌🏻

[@xiamengbaby]

​@@TheCrumbyBeard I think a lot of people say Old Forester 1920.

[@TheloniousSphere]

Great Channel - I watched everything you posted. Let me say as a "Devil's Advocate" - I think your off-base on the Rare Breed - I would urge you to try it in a Blind tasting with other products you feel are superior/better and see where the Rare Breed ends up. I think you will be shocked to find the Rare breed in the top #3 if not #1 - It's not a great "Neat Sipper" either - It's far better on-the-rocks or with a splash of water.

[@TheCrumbyBeard]

You're not wrong, and I think it grows on you over time as well! I haven't done a blind test with it yet, but, I must say I keep referring back to it over and over again to show what's possible at that just slightly pricier level. Cheers!

[@miorfaizulsabki6667]

Is rarebreed worth the money to step up as daily neat sip?

[@TheCrumbyBeard]

It's not a certain yes / no for me on this. Firstly, if you like 101 then I'd advise people buy a bottle of Rare Breed to see the different and experience it as you will still fully enjoy it and see the difference. But wether it's worth the step-up as a everyday bourbon; it depends on wether you prefer more flavours (Rare Breed) or a more detailed look at few flavours (101). That's how it boils down for me. Cheers!

[@danieln6613]

I live in a country where rare breed is priced at around 45% more than 101, so I can't complain

[@TheCrumbyBeard]

101 seems to have dropped in price here in the last month so we're probably very similar now, making the 101 even more appealing! Cheers!

[@jolkraeremeark6949]

In Wisconsin I'm pretty sure 101 is around 23 where Rare Breed is 46. Is it worth 2:1?

[@TheCrumbyBeard]

@@jolkraeremeark6949 I’d say borderline for me. I don’t think it is actually twice as good, but at the same time Rare Breed feels more premium than $46 so still seems very reasonable!

[@TLS2005]

longbranch is pretty good also

[@TheCrumbyBeard]

It's on my short-list! Would be an interesting 3-way or even blind comparison. Cheers!

[@forddriver8827]

Dude looks surrounded by serious conversations. The Gulf Racing Small Batch is an interesting brew.... Sorry my English friend, Sydney Australia, 39 degrees and I am 7 cans of 8% Rare Breed cans in and a new batch of special buds that I grow. Love your content, like my V8 cars, no substitute for big capacity hi alco bourbons from name brewers. Just my 2c worth, stay well, safe and treat others better than yourselves.

[@TheCrumbyBeard]

😂😂 if there were such a thing as a Gulf Racing Small Batch I’d be ALL OVER IT 🤣 Cheers buddy appreciate it! Don’t see any premixed Rare Breed cans here, what’s it in with? Cheers!

[@nickhlawka7073]

To me 101 taste the same as Rare Breed except Rare Breed is stronger. Rare Breed is the high octane version. Its the same taste but a different experience.

[@TheCrumbyBeard]

This is exactly what I thought when I tried them independently of each other. Putting them together seems to really highlight some of the extra notes in the Rare Breed that I just couldn't find in the 101. Cheers!

[@nickhlawka7073]

@@TheCrumbyBeard Of course by the time it crosses the pond it may be sloshed around and contain sea water.

[@johnfritz3792]

Maybe you should have done a blind taste test!

[@TheCrumbyBeard]

One for the future I am certain!

[@josefqamar9473]

101 does the king of budget whiskey All the time....

[@TheCrumbyBeard]

It's a hard one to beat!

[@MrScottsearles]

RB for me over 101.

[@dbunce10]

I agree

[@kaiserhog]

Rare Breed is worth the extra expense to me and I am really fond of 101.

[@TheCrumbyBeard]

I'm still undecided but it's a very close call!

[@kaiserhog]

@@TheCrumbyBeard I try to keep both with 101 more of an everyday sipper.

[@curanderoverde]

101 has an up front spice and longer finish...Rare Breed richer, fuller and more complex...

[@TheCrumbyBeard]

Excellent summary 👏 🥃

[@tn_onyoutube8436]

101 to 117 is not 7% difference! It’s 16% That’s how proofs work

[@TheCrumbyBeard]

I misspoke and was mentioning it in ABV% - though still wrong slightly as it's 7.4% difference. Cheers!

[@michaelm7116]

the wonder of alcohol

[@zappadali8696]

Take it back!

[@TheCrumbyBeard]

Which bit?! 😅

[@ymma9732]

you gotta be more confident