Blanton's vs. Eagle Rare

[Huskee]

I did a whiskey blind taste test the other night with my BIL. He brought over Blanton's, which I've been very unsuccessful at attaining the last year, hardly anyone in MI can get it. I gave him a blind test of

• Blanton's
• Eagle Rare
• Jim Beam Black Extra Aged

On a side note, I'd heard great things about JB Black Extra Aged. I found some and tried it, and for my personal tastes it's not that great, but a good mixer.

Anyway, back to the taste test. He liked the JB least, which is understandable in this context. He surprisingly rated the Eagle Rare as his favorite, and thought it was Blanton's. The real Blanton's he thought was "a little too strong" by blind comparison, and told me he thought it was Eagle Rare.

He gave me the same test. I closed my eyes and he randomly put one of the 3 identical glasses in my hand. I too liked the JB least, by leaps and bounds. I thought I could taste the Eagle Rare (it's my favorite go-to bourbon). Then the last one I tasted also tasted like Eagle Rare. I had to do a re-sip of those two because they were so similar. Eventually I noticed what appeared to be 'a little more going on' in one of them, so I figured that was likely the Blanton's. I was correct! If both are a beautiful symphony, the Blanton's had an extra flute and oboe in the mix.

So to sum it up- Eagle Rare and Blanton's are strikingly similar. It took me a couple tries to pinpoint the difference. My Brother in law, who thought Blanton's was his favorite, thought Eagle Rare was better in the trial. And considering it's half the price and more widely available, he said it's his new go-to.

I no longer am dead set on attaining Blanton's. It's NOT worth double the price, in my personal opinion. Eagle Rare = ~$30. Blanton's = ~$60. If Blanton's is a 10 on my personal taste scale, Eagle Rare is a 9.8. Buffalo Trace is a 9.5.

[dave_trimble]

Looks like I have to try Eagle Rare again. The first bottle I got of it, I felt it tasted a little too "simple" for lack of a better word. And almost a little too sweet for my taste. But maybe I'm due for a blind taste test after all. Have you tried Angel's Envy at all, Huskee?

[fzxdoc]

Angels Envy--mmmMMMMmmm!

[Huskee]

Looks like I have to try Eagle Rare again. The first bottle I got of it, I felt it tasted a little too "simple" for lack of a better word. And almost a little too sweet for my taste. But maybe I'm due for a blind taste test after all. Have you tried Angel's Envy at all, Huskee?

I have. At the time I tasted it, I thought it was a wee bit too harsh for me. But like you allude to, tastes change. What you've eaten last, what mood you're in- I find many things like this change my personal thoughts on a given whiskey at the moment. A couple months ago I had a blind Scotch taste test. After tasting all the Scotches, we also sipped some Blanton's after and it tasted super sweet and almost like cotton candy to me. It certainly didn't taste like that the other night. Tasting spirits is very context-driven I do believe.

[kmhfive]

I like testing mine with a favorite cigar. Since that’s what I’ll be doing most when I’m at home. Local cigar shop sets up tastings about 3-4 times a year. Really fun, too.

[dave_trimble]

I have. At the time I tasted it, I thought it was a wee bit too harsh for me. But like you allude to, tastes change. What you've eaten last, what mood you're in- I find many things like this change my personal thoughts on a given whiskey at the moment. A couple months ago I had a blind Scotch taste test. After tasting all the Scotches, Blanton's tasted super sweet and almost like cotton candy to me. It certainly didn't taste like that the other night. Tasting spirits is very context-driven I do believe.

Very true. I still go back to Blanton's on occasion, but we have a lot of great craft distilleries in Western Washington who make some amazing bourbons at very reasonable prices. So I'm never hurting for something new to try. If you're ever out this way, the wife and I would be happy to take you to some of our favorites (we've got a ridiculous number of breweries and wineries around here, too).

[LangInGibsonia]

Huskee Eagle Rare is a favorite of mine too, especially for the price. I think another top quality bourbon in the same price range is Four Roses. If you're ever looking for a change up from the ER give it a try.

[Huskee]

I've heard good things, it's on my list!

[Pirate Scott]

Four Roses Small Batch is Awesome, I did not care for their Single Barrel.

[klflowers]

+1 on Four Roses Small Batch. It is my go to after Buffalo Trace.

[Hi, my name is Joe]

I recently found a bottle of blantons a few weeks ago and it's almost gone, I bought some Eagle Rare too. After tasting both, I really like blantons neat and Eagle Rare for making old fashioned (s, s', 's???)

Interestingly enough, I did a similar blind tasting with a Johnny walker sampler. Turns out I liked JW black way better than the blue. It's been about six months since the tasting, I wouldn't mind to try it again to see if my tastes have changed and also to prove to the world that I can pick out a good Wisk(e)y and that I'm not a cheap date.

[Huskee]

My BIL and I also tasted JW Blue in the blind scotch test we did a while back, and we rated it last as well. My personal opinion on the JWs is green is best, go no higher. Also I believe it's "Old Fashioneds" 😀

[DWCowles]

I keep a bottle of Blanton's around all the time and Buffalo Trace

[Huskee]

You are a man of exquisite tastes. Blanton's and stickburners.

[Livermoron]

Blanton's and Eagle Rare come from the same family "tree". The difference could be in the ageing...

https://www.gq.com/story/bourbon-whiskey-family-tree

[CaptainMike]

That's pretty cool

[Pirate Scott]

Oh Boy! Now I am really gonna get in trouble.BTS Bourbon Tasting Syndrome.

[Hi, my name is Joe]

That's a really cool chart Livermoron

The warehouse location has a great deal of influence. Jack Daniels makes one "juice" for their whole line up (except maybe their Rye) The difference is the location of the barrels, if they're rotated or not and naturally, time in the barrel.

I was reading that Scotch has to spend more time in the barrel than KY bourbon because of the lack of summer heat in the UK. Kind of makes sense due to Tequila and it's young age when compared to what's needed for wisk(e)y.

[Huskee]

Yeah, the ones I mentioned (except JB) are all from the Buffalo Trace Distillery, they make a lot of good Bourbons! Awesome chart! Thank you for sharing Livermoron

[CaptainMike]

That's a nice nugget of info. Love me some BT, but must now seek out ER.

[DWCowles]

Did somebody say Blanton's?

[Hi, my name is Joe]

I was there in spirit with you broski. My wife poured her some "medicine" because she's had a sore throat, she reached for the blantons said "this is the only one I like". Now I've got to find more...

[ecowper]

ONe of the things I’ve found is that the bottle changes over time once it is open. New air allowed into the bottle means the whisky can oxidize and will slowly age again. The more of it you drink, the greater surface area in the bottle is exposed to air, and that changes the process. how Eagle Rare, for example, tastes the day I open the bottle and 4 weeks later is quite different.

[ecowper]

Oh yeah ... commissioned, one barrel only .... I’m sure once that whisky got its legs under it, it was mighty fine. I’d love a pic or three

[Pirate Scott]

That is Very interesting and might explain why I have enjoyed some higher priced Bourbons, and Whiskeys at a bar but not from the bottle I purchased. They don't tend to last very long at home.

[Hi, my name is Joe]

I'll join @CaptianMike in learning of the Lore of "two fortnights later"

[shush]

Have you tried Elijah Craig? I too am a big fan of Eagle Rare, but Elijah Craig is fantastic!

[Huskee]

I have not, not sure if I've seen it but I've definitely heard of it. I'll watch for it, thanks!

[Hi, my name is Joe]

I went on a bender with Elijah some time ago. It's pretty good. That Baptist pastor new what he was doing.

[Livermoron]

Price is right, too. Costco out here has the 12 year.

*hic*

[LangInGibsonia]

That's right, Joe. When I toured Buffalo Trace I was told that the only difference between BT and Eagle Rare is that one is aged on the top three racks and the other is aged on the bottom three racks. I forget which one is which. The only difference is in temperature and humidity over time. Both products come from the same distillate.

[Huskee]

I thought BT was 7yr and ER 10yr?

[LangInGibsonia]

That's definitely possible too. I just specifically remember the guide mentioning the placement on the aging racks.

[Hi, my name is Joe]

Blantons seems to be aged 6-8 years according to the interwebs. This is what I find fascinating about whiskey in general. Often the climate conditions are more of a factor than age. I'm really enjoying NAS whiskey, when the master distiller says it's ready, it's ready. Just like a brisket, whiskey seems to also work by it's own clock.

And Huskee, you're also correct with your ages.

[CaptainMike]

So, in honor of this thread I opened a bottle of craft distilled bourbon from a brother and sister owned distillery in Sisters, OR. Very nice, but needs MUCH more time. ecowper I will give this one a little more than 4 weeks. I will be certain to take you up on your offer to inspect your whiskycabinet the next time we travel north of TGSo'J!

[ecowper]

Looking forward to it my friend.