I’m revisiting Old Tub because it has become one of my favorite sub-$20 bottles on my shelf. I’ve also noticed that it has changed a little as the bottle has had time to breathe, so I thought I would put it up against another favorite in the $20 range!

OLD TUB) ($18) the nose has some alcohol, some oak, a lot of vanilla, slight cherry/orange, and peanut. 
The palate is immediately sweet and a little oily (but yet a little thin?) with toasted sugar and caramel, then charred oak, vanilla, citrus, and more salted peanut than I got last time. 
The finish is impressively long for this price range with some sweetness, black pepper spice, more salted peanuts, and as you exhale, sweet corn.
I am definitely impressed by this bottle for this price. it drinks older than 4yrs to me. The main negative I have so far is that the palate is a little thin compared to some other bottles, but instead of being off-putting, it invites you to take another sip… This one is easy to drink!

EARLY TIMES) This is another bottle that is very impressive for the price (I paid $22 for a 1L bottle, which would come to $16.50 for 750mL). 
The nose starts out with some charred oak, tropical fruits, vanilla, and leather. 
The palate is surprisingly full of flavor and starts with sweet corn, vanilla, orange peel, dark cherries, mango, leather, and a hint of tobacco. Some spice shows up on the medium long finish, along with a definite sweet-mint aftertaste that is pretty unique.

VERDICT) This one is very close. I think I prefer the complexity of the ET on the nose and palate, but the finish on the OT is amazing. It’s a tough fight, and I think at these prices it’s simply a matter of BUY WHICHEVER ONE YOU CAN FIND!
The Fancy Glencairn does squeak out a win with the Early Times here though. 😜
It’s too bad ET was sold to Sazarac, hopefully it doesn’t go downhill!