Wild Turkey Throwdown: Beacon vs. Russell’s

The Whiskey Wisemen are back — and the Wild Turkey is wilder than ever. In this chaos-fueled episode, the guys face off in a blind tasting of Russell’s 13, Russell’s 15, and Master’s Keep Beacon. Stay tuned for a special prank the guys pull at the end!

But this isn’t just about bourbon — it’s about bad decisions, bug protein, and burning egos. Corks crumble, bottles leak, and someone drinks an unidentified insect in the name of whiskey science (“it’s protein, bro”). The guys relive their glory days in high school, roast each other over their whiskey takes, and the great distillery debate turns heated as Wild Turkey battles Buffalo Trace, Heaven Hill, and Jack Daniel’s for supremacy.

It’s whiskey tasting meets stand-up comedy (well, sort of) meets chaos theory. Grab a glass and enjoy a rollercoaster of sips, roasts, and “did-we-just-drink-a-bug?” moments.

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00:00:10 🥃 Welcome Back to the Whiskey Wisemen
00:00:31 Kickin’ Chicken vs. Dirty Bird – The Wild Turkey Debate Begins
00:01:33 Blind Tasting Chaos: Russell’s 13 vs. 15 vs. Beacon
00:03:04 Cork Crisis: How to Save a Broken Stopper
00:07:58 Whiskey Storage 101: Flip It or Lose It
00:08:58 This Blind Is Brutal – And We’re Already Wrong
00:10:04 “Do I Like 13 More Than Beacon?” – Bourbon Identity Crisis
00:10:26 MSRP Madness: What’s a Bottle Really Worth?
00:11:26 Bonus Bottle: Jimmy Russell’s 70th Anniversary Pick
00:12:17 Top 3 Distilleries: Wild Turkey vs. The World
00:13:26 The Great Jack Daniel’s Debate: Heritage or Hype?
00:14:31 Jack Daniels and Country Songs
00:15:17 Beam, Bardstown & Penelope: The Runner-Ups
00:17:02 Woodford Rant: Double Double or Double Trouble?
00:20:02 “Does John Even Like Whiskey?” – Listener Questions 😂
00:20:31 🐛 Bonus Protein: There’s a Bug in My Bourbon!
00:21:40 High School Reunion Tales & Quarterback Glory Days
00:24:12 Musical Detour
00:25:13 Please Subscribe 🙏
00:26:00 The Final Guess: Our Rankings (and Total Failure)
00:29:15 Results Revealed 🤦‍♂️
00:30:12 Evil Plan: Setting Up a Prank 😈
00:31:27 Football Detour 🏈
00:34:10 Final Thoughts

Disclaimer: The Whiskey Wisemen may not actually be that wise, but we do know how to enjoy a good whiskey responsibly. All participants are 21+ and drinking responsibly. Listener discretion (and a single pour of a good whiskey) is advised. No medical or clinical services, advice, or endorsements are being offered here. This is provided for entertainment and educational purposes only. This podcast is not affiliated with any professional organizations, and is intended only for adult audiences 21 and older who enjoy casual conversation about whiskey. All views expressed by the hosts are their individual opinions and do not reflect their jobs, professions, or any organizations with which they are affiliated. Please enjoy responsibly and drink only if you are of legal age.