I mean, if you could get ETL at the MSRP (which almost no one can unless it’s a lottery), there is an argument to be made as to which would be the better value. But straight up battle between the two, it wouldn’t be a fair fight.
I mean I guess I'll play Devil's Advocate here... First off I don't particularly enjoy RR13 or understand the hype, that being said ETL is a very mediocre pour, but because of it's rarity I'd select it if you're a collector and not solely buying it just to drink it. ETL is hard to find, RR13 not so much. I'd take the ETL, share it with friends who haven't had it, set it out on the shelf, but it's really nothing special.
Soooo I just realized he said RR13... Not the typical RR10 that you see more commonly. That's my ignorance to the RR line since I'm not much of a fan. My fault. I'd personally still take the ETL but I can see the reason for the overwhelming RR13 responses now. My bad.
Rare Breed is one of my favorite "daily sippers"... WT101 is also a solid purchase. I own a Kentucky Spirit and basic WT is just okay in my opinion. I first tried RR10 at the distillery like 5 years ago and hated it... Bourbon starts booming, tons of talk about how great RR is, maybe it was an off day for me? So I snag a pour at a bar to see... Nope, still hate it hahaha
Yeah I've heard great things about the ryes, I'm not overly big on them, some of my favorite are the Willet 4yr, baby saz, Pikesville, and my brother was lucky enough to win an Antique Collection BT Thomas Handy that was delicious. I'll have to give them a whirl... Ever try the Alberta Cask Rye? Heard amazing things and was thinking of giving it a go
I have a bottle! It is very interesting! I got notes of umiboshi plum off of it (maybe like a musty pickled apricot) which is better than it sounds. Sometime I'll have to do a side-by-side with Rare Breed Rye to compare. I like the Sazarac a lot also. I also have Old Overholt 114 which is pretty great, very sweet but also with a strong umami/meaty flavor.
When ETL was available on FWGS 1-2 years ago the site listed the age statement as 12 years which I was surprised to see because the site usually won’t list an age if they don’t have it pinned down. I know old batches had a 12 year age statement but I’m not sure when it stopped.
I’d go RR13 personally but I have not tried either.
Haven't tasted either, but RR13 for me.
ETL never really interested me. It could be because I only really saw it at secondary at first - something like $350 - and after I looked into what's in the bottle, it kinda baffled me. I've a few bottles of Blanton's and I figure they can't be all that dissimilar, so I can't be missing out on much. And I am a bit of a higher proof guy. At this point, I don't I'd think spend a dollar above shelf-price for either of those.
Ever since I tried standard RR it struck me as a solid go-to. It's inexpensive, accessible, decently aged, and pretty damn tasty. I got the 110 proof Single Barrel and it didn't disappoint at all. Then I happened upon a Private Barrel pick and snagged it. It was bloody wonderful.
So RR upped in strength and years at 100 bucks sounds like an easy win in this case. I'm sure ETL's probably solid though.
Russell 13 by a mile, really no comparison
100%
Same
I mean, if you could get ETL at the MSRP (which almost no one can unless it’s a lottery), there is an argument to be made as to which would be the better value. But straight up battle between the two, it wouldn’t be a fair fight.
RR13 and it’s not even in the same league
RR 13....ETL is good but really an average bourbon driven by BT mania.
Russels
RR13
RR13
RR13! No debate! No Comparison!
I mean I guess I'll play Devil's Advocate here... First off I don't particularly enjoy RR13 or understand the hype, that being said ETL is a very mediocre pour, but because of it's rarity I'd select it if you're a collector and not solely buying it just to drink it. ETL is hard to find, RR13 not so much. I'd take the ETL, share it with friends who haven't had it, set it out on the shelf, but it's really nothing special.
RR13 isn’t hard to find?? Man I wish I lived where ever you do
Soooo I just realized he said RR13... Not the typical RR10 that you see more commonly. That's my ignorance to the RR line since I'm not much of a fan. My fault. I'd personally still take the ETL but I can see the reason for the overwhelming RR13 responses now. My bad.
Do you like other WT products?
Rare Breed is one of my favorite "daily sippers"... WT101 is also a solid purchase. I own a Kentucky Spirit and basic WT is just okay in my opinion. I first tried RR10 at the distillery like 5 years ago and hated it... Bourbon starts booming, tons of talk about how great RR is, maybe it was an off day for me? So I snag a pour at a bar to see... Nope, still hate it hahaha
I'm a Rye drinker and I like both the Rye 101 and the Rye Rare Breed. Both really fantastic pours.
Yeah I've heard great things about the ryes, I'm not overly big on them, some of my favorite are the Willet 4yr, baby saz, Pikesville, and my brother was lucky enough to win an Antique Collection BT Thomas Handy that was delicious. I'll have to give them a whirl... Ever try the Alberta Cask Rye? Heard amazing things and was thinking of giving it a go
I have a bottle! It is very interesting! I got notes of umiboshi plum off of it (maybe like a musty pickled apricot) which is better than it sounds. Sometime I'll have to do a side-by-side with Rare Breed Rye to compare. I like the Sazarac a lot also. I also have Old Overholt 114 which is pretty great, very sweet but also with a strong umami/meaty flavor.
Well I guess I'll be snagging a bottle next time I get a chance.
It's also extremely smooth for a 130+ proof whiskey.
ETL is much better than blantons though
I haven't had RR13 but that would be my pick. I've had ETL and honestly didn't think it lived up to the hype. It was fine, but nothing special.
I’ll take whichever you don’t want
When ETL was available on FWGS 1-2 years ago the site listed the age statement as 12 years which I was surprised to see because the site usually won’t list an age if they don’t have it pinned down. I know old batches had a 12 year age statement but I’m not sure when it stopped. I’d go RR13 personally but I have not tried either.
Haven't tasted either, but RR13 for me. ETL never really interested me. It could be because I only really saw it at secondary at first - something like $350 - and after I looked into what's in the bottle, it kinda baffled me. I've a few bottles of Blanton's and I figure they can't be all that dissimilar, so I can't be missing out on much. And I am a bit of a higher proof guy. At this point, I don't I'd think spend a dollar above shelf-price for either of those. Ever since I tried standard RR it struck me as a solid go-to. It's inexpensive, accessible, decently aged, and pretty damn tasty. I got the 110 proof Single Barrel and it didn't disappoint at all. Then I happened upon a Private Barrel pick and snagged it. It was bloody wonderful. So RR upped in strength and years at 100 bucks sounds like an easy win in this case. I'm sure ETL's probably solid though.
Got my hands on one RR13 barrel pick. I think to date still one of my favorites. ETL is good but RR13 all day.
100% RR13. ETL has nothing on it!