Wild Turkey Master’s Keep 17yr Bottled in Bond Vs Russel’s Reserve Single Barrel (store selection)

So… This was actually just going to be a review of the new Master’s Keep dressed up as a comparison. But the results were very interesting for me!
These, of course, are both Wild Turkey products, similar proofs, but very different price points. The MC was $179, and the RRsb was $60.

MK) I was really looking forward to this one based on a lot of glowing reviews, although I have seen a few “meh” reviews as well… So, to give this it’s best chance I gave it 5-days after opening.
The nose is strong and amazing with funk, cherry, leather, old oak, light vanilla, and maybe some anise.
After that nose the palate is a little disappointing, it starts out with a fairly thin mouthfeel, with dry flavors of cherry, anise, leather, musty oak, and some herbs.
The finish is also a little disappointing and medium in length, lots of herbs, some black pepper, and a very drying tannic end that is somewhat off-putting to me. It is a very interesting, fairly unique, clearly old-aged pour that lacked the flavor intensity and finish of other great bottles I have in this price-range.

Russel’s Reserve SB) As I tried this after the MK, and then kept going back and forth I couldn’t help but be amazed at this bottle. 
The nose is nowhere as good as the MK, with gentle aromas of oak, cinnamon spice, and vanilla, some orange peel, and corn notes. 
On the palate, this is a very flavorful, multilayered whiskey, with an initial hit of alcohol burn, and somewhat oily mouthfeel, then strong cinnamon and baking spices, oak, vanilla, almond, toasted coconut, and a hint of mint.
The finish is long and good, with some apple pie, followed by charred-oak, baking spices, and some corn.

VERDICT) I was shocked that I couldn’t crown Master’s Keep 17yr BiB the clear winner here. I think for the same price point I would choose the MK over the RR, but it would be close. At least try to get a sample before committing to buying! The nose is amazing, but the somewhat thin palate, and tannic finish really take away from it at that price IMO.