A unique find at a local bar

[Black Plague]

Went out for my b-day last night to a bar called Quencher's. Really good beer and whisk(e)y selection, but what really caught my eye was a strange bottle all the way in the back behind some other bourbons. It was an original 101-proof Wild Turkey Russel's Reserve!

The style of bottle you see here
LINK

Not the newer, watered-down to 90-proof one like you see here
LINK

Of course, I had to try a glass. Honestly, it wasn't all that great, very muted. About a quarter of the bottle had been drunk, and the bottle had to be at least 4 years old (since that's about the time they changed it), so unfortunately the air in the bottle seems to have oxidized the whiskey a bit.

Nonetheless, a cool find.

 

[AVB]

Yes a good find but the change was only about 18 months ago.

.....and the bottle had to be at least 4 years old (since that's about the time they changed it), so unfortunately the air in the bottle seems to have oxidized the whiskey a bit.

Nonetheless, a cool find.

 

[Black Plague]

Yes a good find but the change was only about 18 months ago.

.....and the bottle had to be at least 4 years old (since that's about the time they changed it), so unfortunately the air in the bottle seems to have oxidized the whiskey a bit.

Nonetheless, a cool find.

Are you sure? ???

When I started drinking bourbon two years ago, all I ever saw in the liquor store were the new-style bottles, and people were already complaining about the change to 90 instead of 101 proof.

 

[Black Plague]

Here's the article I got the picture of the new-style bottle from

LINK

Did a little digging, apparently the 90 proof is what's been sold outside KY for the last 3-4 years and the 101 proof was only available in Kentucky. And now, I don't think they make 101 proof version at all anymore.

 

[BlindedByScience]

...I drink the "regular" 101 proof all the time. When I wanted something better, I usually skip right over Russel's Reserve and go for the "Rare Breed" which to my palate is pretty nice stuff.

I did see on their web site they now have a 12 YO 101...?? Is this new? Never seen it locally....??

Cheers, gents - B.B.S.

 

[AVB]

Maybe here there was an overage of older stock, I didn't see the 90 proof until summer '06

Yes a good find but the change was only about 18 months ago.

.....and the bottle had to be at least 4 years old (since that's about the time they changed it), so unfortunately the air in the bottle seems to have oxidized the whiskey a bit.

Nonetheless, a cool find.

Are you sure? ???

When I started drinking bourbon two years ago, all I ever saw in the liquor store were the new-style bottles, and people were already complaining about the change to 90 instead of 101 proof.

 

[cuppajack]

...I drink the "regular" 101 proof all the time. When I wanted something better, I usually skip right over Russel's Reserve and go for the "Rare Breed" which to my palate is pretty nice stuff.

I did see on their web site they now have a 12 YO 101...?? Is this new? Never seen it locally....??

Cheers, gents - B.B.S.

Yup, me too!

Last time I was at Trader Joes they had the 101 on-sale for $16! I've also seen the Rare Breed for as low as $25 there.

And 12yr 101? Where do I sign up?