This is a tough one, and for the first time I had to write the entire review blind because these are incredibly similar!Typically I taste blind first, make some notes, and then go back a few days (or weeks) later knowing what I’m drinking to write the final review.Fancy Glencairn chooses that fancy Van Winkle label, but is a label worth the price premium?… Let’s see!

So I’m not sure what made me do this comparison other than the fact that I knew I liked both, are both similar proofs, not too far apart in price, and both nice-looking bottles.Fancy Glencairn can’t resist the over-the-top fanciness of the Smoke Wagon bottle… Let’s see if that makes her a winner!

I don’t typically compare bottles that are so different in proof, but the fruit forward flavors of Peerless reminded me of Hancock’s. Since Hancock’s has become so hard to find for reasonable prices (I routinely see it for $150+), I was curious if a more easily available bottle could take its place!Fancy Glencairn can’t resist the fancier bottle, let’s see if she is a winner today!

This comparison came about by accident because I happened to have these back to back one evening and realized how close in proof, and “smoothness” these were. Both are very approachable, easy-drinking options in the $40-50 price range. Fancy Glencairn really likes the Old Elk bottle, lets see if it translates to a winning pour!

This one is a little different. Here we already know who the winner is going to be… But, my question: Is this year’s Limited Edition better ENOUGH to justify the price premium over the very excellent Small Batch Select? Fancy chooses the winner, but lets see if price undermines her choice!

Time for a Frugal Friday post!This matchup is interesting because Fighting Cock was produced by Heaven Hill as a direct competitor to WT101. They are both made from the same mashbill of 75% corn, 13% rye, and 12% barley, both 4-6yrs old, and are both about $20.Fancy Glencairn thinks the Fighting Cock label is very uncivilized, and chooses the WT. Let’s see if she is wrong to judge the juice by the cover!

I’ve been looking forward to doing this comparison. I love what Maker’s is doing with staves, both in these editions and with “store picks”. It’s crazy how much the base whiskey changes! I don’t have the room here to go into the process of the staves used in these, but look it up, it’s interesting!

Fancy is going with the RC6 that she knows she likes. Let’s see if the 2020 can beat her! These retail for $60-70

This is a nerdy exercise because in reality ANY ECBP is amazing, and you should always buy it when you see it at suggested retail prices ($60). Yes there are slight differences in both proof, and profile, and my tireless job here at WvW is to do the hard work so you know which one to buy if you only have one spot on your shelf!Fancy Glencairn thinks she will prefer the higher proof of the C920, let’s see if that’s a wise choice!

This is a comparison I’ve been asked to do by a few people. It puts Blanton’s against what is often called the “Blanton’s of the North”.These are both Buffalo Trace products, but Caribou Crossing is sourced from Canada and bottled at BT. Both are Single barrel bottles, and both have fancy stoppers…Fancy Glencairn shows her preference for American whiskey and chooses Blanton’s. Can the North hand her a loss?

Sometimes I like to check my enthusiasm for newer craft-distillery releases against a dose of established-distillery realism. In this case we have 2 barrel proof Kentucky ryes that are in the same price range ($50-$60). Fancy Glencairn is an old-soul and chooses the Wild Turkey, lets see if that’s a smart move!

This is an interesting comparison because these are both limited bottles in the $100 price range, similar proofs, with similar French-grape cask finishes. They are also both great examples of cask finishes that are not overdone, and don’t take over the base spirit. Fancy Glencairn liked the fancy Yellowstone bottle, so lets see if her eye gives her a win today!

This is another in my series of small-batch-release battles… Both of these retail for around $130, and both can still be found for purchase. The question is, which one is the better one to spend your money on! Fancy chose Kentucky Straight Whiskey, lets see if she is a winner or not today!

I like this comparison because these are both value-bottles ($20-30), both from the Beam family, and both solid “Kentucky style” ryes in that the mash bill is only about 51% rye. To me they both taste like high-rye bourbons. But let’s see which one is the better value!

Since these are both still fairly widely available on shelves, I thought it would be good to help decide which of these 2 excellent batches of Booker’s is the better one to buy! Fancy chose to carry the first batch of the year… let’s see if she chose wisely!

Since these bottles from The Spirits of French Lick are becoming more available, I thought it would be good to decide which one I would spend my money on… They are both Bottled-in-Bond, aged 4yrs, and around $50.Fancy Glencairn gravitates to the more traditional bottle. Let’s see if she made a wise choice!

These are both blended bourbons from undisclosed distilleries. They are both similar proof, but very different prices. Let’s see if Fancy Glencairn chose the more expensive bottle wisely!

These are both Bottled in Bond, and both around the same price ($40-50).  One is an old standby, and one is a young contender!

I’ve been looking forward to reviewing this excellent bottle of Michter’s BP Rye, and I found the perfect opponent in the Sagamore option. These are both in the $70-80 price range, both with no age statement.

I am really excited to try these together. These are both cask strength, are both sourced products, and both blends.

These are two heavy hitters, and both are improved greatly by adding about 1mL of water to help open the flavors!I chose the ECBP on my shelf that had the closest proof to the Jack.