Old Fitzgerald BiB 9yr Vs. Rebel Yell SiB 10yr

Here’s an interesting matchup!
When I realized that Rebel Yell 10yr was sourced from Heaven Hill, I realized this was a natural battle!
Both are about the same age, same proof, and the same wheated Heaven Hill mashbill of 75% Corn, 20% Wheat, 5% Barley.
Of course Fancy Glencairn chooses the fancy Old Fitz bottle, let’s see if she’s a winner today!

Old Fitz) $93, 100 proof.
-The Nose is nice, with vanilla, maple, and toasted bread, along with notes of caramel and oak char.
-The Palate is fairly soft and sweet, with classic bourbon flavors of caramel, vanilla, and brown sugar, along with a hint of white pepper spice.
-The Finish is moderately long and more interesting, with some dark cherry, herbal notes, chocolate, and oak char.
Overall this is a very well-balanced, enjoyable, classic wheated bourbon, but lacks unique or interesting flavors.

Rebel Yell) $49, 100 proof.
-The Nose is very similar, with vanilla, maple, toasted bread, and caramel, but there is more spice, citrus, leather, and tannic oak as well.
-The Palate has more brightness, with a nice citrus note, but also a little bitterness (like grapefruit pith). The midpalate moves into very similar notes of vanilla, and caramel, but the increased spiciness remains present.
-The Finish is medium long, with that lingering orange peel and white-pepper spice being joined by light tobacco, chocolate, and oak char.
Overall, this one is a bolder, more complex, but less balanced cousin to Old Fitz.

VERDICT) This one is really hard because they are overall very similar, with the increased citrus, spice, and slight bitterness in the RY being the main difference. They are both very good, and it really depends if you like a more mellow, soft, balanced pour, or are in the mood for a little more complexity.
I really like the Old Fitz, and appreciate it’s balanced nature. For me though, I’ll take a little bit more wild and complex bourbon everyday… So I crown the underdog Rebel Yell the winner today*!

*(I’m sure the Rebel Yells can vary since they are Single Barrels).

What do you guys think?