The Whiskey Blendery Buff Turkey Head to Head

 

Mashup Reserve vs. Greased Lightning 

Ok. Someone gave me a sample of Greased Lightning and I was lucky enough to get a bottle of the Blendery Mashup. Both are 16 year Wild Turkey/Buffalo Trace and as such, a part of whiskey legendary history. Tim Huels at The Whiskey Blendery has done an incredible job sourcing these barrels so I can't wait to get into it. Both are tested from brandy snifters.

Greased Lightning 127 proof

N: I'm greeted with toasted brown sugar and ethanol right away. Underneath that later, there a mix of dark and tart fruit. Dates and cherry cake come to mind. Within 2 minutes, all of the ethanol has disappeared; leaving a lot of  territory exposed to olfactory exploration. Let's see what we can parse. There's a note that I can only describe as brownie cola. There's some super glue, a mild hint of flowers, toasted vanilla, baked pastries, and raspberry jam. One thing to note is that all of these smells are hitting you with immense intensity all at once. It's quite forcefully inviting 

(8) 

P: Apples, bubble gum, vanilla, a little nutty with tannins and oak coming through. 

(9)

F: Bright at first and long lasting with a very oaky ending. Vanilla, then oak.

(7)

O: Man. When you drink something like this, it makes you feel like you're winning. One heck of a pick. Please understand that my rating is considering the price also. This really is up there with the best of the best but I can't just give them all 10s across the board(as much as I want to).

(24)

Mashup Reserve 123 proof

N: This is immediately different. I can tell right away that this has a brighter character. It feels fluffy; like marshmallows or soft vanilla but it also has that acidic line flowing down the center. I pick up on cherry blossoms as well as red cherries. Has a light hint of honey and a mild kick of ethanol. 

(7)

P: Apples, apple skin, pars, and fine chocolate.

(10)

F: Chocolate, caramel, vanilla, wafers, Stone fruit, and oak. Long lasting finish with a ever slight medicinal tail.

(9)

O: Holy heck. Both of these are phenomenal. If I had to pick, if give the mashup the edge. The Greased Lightning is more interesting but the Mashup is more crushable and pleasant. 

(26)

These 15-17 year BuffTurkey bottles are dropping all over the country right now. Get your hands on at least one. You won't regret it. It's a piece of whiskey history that won't happen again. Good luck and cheers!