Comparisons

Oban 14 vs Macallan 12

Oban 14 vs Macallan 12

Welcome to the big leagues. Today, we look at two of the most delicious and well-regarded single malt scotch whiskies on the market — Oban 14 Year Old and the Macallan 12 Years Old. If you’ve made it this far, chances are you’ve graduated from the standard introductory brands and

Glenmorangie vs Glenlivet

Glenmorangie vs Glenlivet

Whisky lovers worldwide have a strong affinity for the two brands we’re looking at today — Glenmorangie and the Glenlivet. In this post, we’ll look at their flavor profiles and everything that comes along with them — including history, fermentation, distillation, maturation, ownership and more. So take a seat, grab

Crown Royal XR Red vs Blue

Crown Royal XR Red vs Blue

For those looking for a refined and sophisticated blend of Canadian whisky — one with an elevated retail price — Crown Royal XR is an enticing dram to seek out. Subsequent releases included aged whiskies from the silent Waterloo and LaSalle distilleries, and this particular whiskey series differentiates the two

Lagavulin vs Laphroaig

Lagavulin vs Laphroaig

Today, we pit two peated whiskies that represent the smoky flavor and phenolic character for which the Isle of Islay is renowned. Whisky drinkers are often split when it comes to the traditional peated scotch whiskies, many of which hail from Islay. You either love them, or you hate them. 

Paddy vs Jameson

Paddy vs Jameson

Welcome to our Irish whiskey introduction to two powerhouse brands: Jameson and Paddy Irish whiskeys.  Today, we’ll explore what to look for when comparing these two historic brands. Whether you’re a professional beverage director or a budding enthusiast, our goal is to help you understand the science behind the label

Macallan vs Glenlivet

Macallan vs Glenlivet

Two legendary Speyside whiskies face each other in this head-to-head matchup. But before we get any further, we should address the elephant in the room: Is the Macallan a Speyside Whisky or a Highland Whisky? An astute whisky lover may wonder why we’ve gone on about these two Speyside brands

Bushmills vs Jameson

Bushmills vs Jameson

Not a single apostrophe anywhere to be seen. Okay, that’s a bit of an exaggeration. But it’s a bit of a novelty to find two brands — Bushmills and Jameson — that do not utilize the possessive. That’s not the only unique aspect of this matchup. Today, we pit two

Ardbeg vs Laphroaig

Ardbeg vs Laphroaig

This battle of Islay is for all the peat heads out there. This matchup between two of the most well-known peated scotches is one that any serious Islay fan should understand. Many whiskies may be described as ‘smoky.’ But if you hear someone describe a smoky scotch whisky with ‘medicinal’

Green Spot vs Yellow Spot

Green Spot vs Yellow Spot

It was a favorite of Irish writer James Joyce — among other famous Irish bards — and continues to be a favorite of whiskey enthusiasts across the globe. But the beloved brands Green Spot and Yellow Spot — along with the single pot still Irish whiskey sub-category they represent —

Johnnie Walker Platinum vs Blue

Johnnie Walker Platinum vs Blue

The Johnnie Walker portfolio includes a color-coded range that is widely available and globally distributed. These products include (from low to high-cost): Johnnie Walker Red Label, Black Label, Double Black, Green Label, Gold Label Reserve, Platinum Label 18-Year-Old and Blue Label. We have already looked at Red and Black Label,

Speyside vs Islay

Speyside vs Islay

You’ve got questions about whiskies from Speyside and Islay. And we’ve got answers. But first, how do you feel about drastic oversimplifications? Perhaps you’ve read descriptions posted to your whisky group. Online, there is a lot of information about these two scotch whisky regions and the production techniques associated with

Johnnie Walker Black vs Double Black

Johnnie Walker Black vs Double Black

None more black… If you’ve graduated from Johnnie Walker Red Label and want to see what’s in store in the rest of the lineup, this post is the next step in your education. Read on to learn how Black and Double Black are related, how they’re different and why the

Wild Turkey 81 vs 101

Wild Turkey 81 vs 101

Do you see those two bottles of Wild Turkey on the shelf? Want to know what makes them different so you know whether the increase in the proof is relative to the increase in price? Look no further. We’ve got you covered. In this post, we’ll go down the rabbit

Glenlivet vs Glenfiddich

Glenlivet vs Glenfiddich

Battle of the glens. This matchup is between two of the most recognizable names in single malt whisky. Any whiskey lover who admits to never trying either of these scotch whiskies will have a hard time being taken seriously in a crowd of aficionados. If you’re looking for insight into

Johnnie Walker Red vs Black

Johnnie Walker Red vs Black

Johnnie Walker is the best-selling whisky brand in the world. So for the drinker new to the scotch category, it’s the perfect place to start. But you may have some questions — especially if you’re just jumping into the scotch product category for the first time. In this post, we’ll

Crown Royal vs Jameson

Crown Royal vs Jameson

These blended brands are two of the top-selling whiskeys in the world. In the U.S. market, Crown Royal is the No. 2 selling whiskey brand behind Jack Daniel’s, while Jameson is No. 5. And globally, Crown Royal is No. 3, while Jameson is No. 4. Each is the leader in

Canadian Club vs Crown Royal

Canadian Club vs Crown Royal

Grab some popcorn boys, these two Canadian whisky juggernauts are about to drop the gloves! Crown Royal and Canadian Club are two of the top-selling Canadian whisky brands in the U.S. and globally. Around the world, whisky fans are familiar with what’s inside each of the recognizable bottles. In this

Canadian Mist vs Crown Royal

Canadian Mist vs Crown Royal

Crown Royal is the No. 1 brand of Canadian whisky in global sales, while Canadian Mist is No. 3. And at home, Crown Royal is America’s best-selling Canadian whisky, followed by Black Velvet, Canadian Club and Canadian Mist comes in at No. 4. It makes sense that those looking to

Tullamore DEW vs Jameson

Tullamore DEW vs Jameson

Today, we look at two of the biggest names in Blended Irish Whiskey: Jameson and Tullamore DEW. These two brands are the leaders when it comes to Irish whiskey sales. Jameson whiskey is the No. 1 selling brand in the United States, with Tullamore DEW following behind. In this post,

Bourbon vs Whiskey

Bourbon vs Whiskey

When you’re new to the distilled spirits category, it’s easy to be thrown off by the casual conversation of whiskey nerds and bourbon aficionados, where specialized terms describing all types of whiskey products are bandied about. For example: ‘Is bourbon whiskey the same as bourbon?’ Or ‘What is the difference

Jim Beam Honey vs Jack Daniels Honey

Jim Beam Honey vs Jack Daniel’s Honey

The flavored whiskey category is a large and growing sub-segment that sold 10.8 million cases in 2018. Over the past decade, brands have included more flavored whiskey options, which have helped introduce new customers to bourbon and bring energy into the overall whiskey category. From the very beginning of this

Scotch vs Whiskey

Scotch vs Whiskey

Is whisky scotch? Or, is scotch whisky? Well, both. Kinda. Let’s explore the nuanced usage of these terms. Consider this post your scotch whisky 101 course. We’ll take a deep dive into what scotch is and how it compares and contrasts with whiskies and other distilled spirits the world over.

Wild Turkey vs Jack Daniels

Wild Turkey vs Jack Daniel’s

Wild Turkey and Jack Daniel’s are two distinctly American brands familiar with newcomers to the American whiskey category and ardent whiskey drinkers alike. While both are popular choices at pubs and taverns across the United States, most seasoned bourbon drinkers have their favorite. In this point, we’ll help you understand

Jack Daniels vs Johnnie Walker

Jack Daniel’s vs Johnnie Walker

The fight for global supremacy in the world of whiskey comes down to these two brands — which represent the whiskey-making traditions of two continents. It’s a contentious story between two brands and their ownership entities that fight for the hearts, minds and palates of a global whiskey-drinking audience —

Wild Turkey 101 vs Maker's Mark

Wild Turkey 101 vs Maker’s Mark

We stand on the backs of giants. This matchup pits a protector of the pre-prohibition, high rye, bonded whiskey-making style against a pioneer in the wheated premium bourbon segment. Each has been led by Bourbon Hall of Famers and has had decades of influence over what the bourbon community considers

Irish whiskey vs Scotch

Irish Whiskey vs Scotch

Irish and Scottish whiskies have intertwined histories that date back nearly a millennium. But for the modern whiskey fan, knowing the nuanced differences between these two popular types of whiskey will open a whole new world of flavors for your taste buds. Unlike their Canadian and American whiskey cousins, the

Bourbon vs Cognac vs Whiskey

Bourbon vs Cognac vs Whiskey

So, you’re eying up that bottle of Hennessy, Rémy Martin or Courvoisier at your local liquor store or favorite bar. You might find yourself asking, ‘What’s inside that well-respected bottle ⁠— and how do I know whether the liquid inside is worth the price tag?’ On this site, we already

Crown Royal vs Jack Daniel's

Crown Royal vs Jack Daniel’s

Tonight, we’ve got the North American heavyweight whiskey title on the line. Jack Daniel’s and Crown Royal. These are the two top-selling whiskey brands in North America. Each has its own unique look, and the liquid inside offers significant differences in distillation and barrel aging processes. The respective black and

Eagle Rare vs Blanton's

Eagle Rare vs Blanton’s

Today, we look at two elusive bottles of bourbon that are much sought after by those in the know. The well-versed bourbon enthusiast is on the constant lookout, and finding either of these bottles at the suggested retail price on the shelf of your local liquor store is a righteous

Bourbon vs Rum vs Whiskey

Bourbon vs Rum vs Whiskey

Think of this as continued education in your matured spirits track. So far, you’ve been learning more about distilled spirits, falling further and further down the rabbit hole. And you’re learning about mash bills and how other spirits like brandy are made.   Now it’s time to take the next logical leap.

Brandy vs Bourbon

Brandy vs Bourbon

Brandy vs Bourbon If you’re relatively new to the world of distilled spirits, you may find yourself torn between the bourbon and brandy aisles. Looking at the bottle, you may notice they both contain brown liquids inside those bottles.  But what are they, and how are they different? And —

Buffalo Trace Bourbon vs Maker's Mark Bourbon

Buffalo Trace vs Maker’s Mark

Buffalo Trace and Maker’s Mark are two of the most easily recognized and well-respected names in the world of Kentucky Bourbon. But name recognition alone isn’t helpful if you’re trying to decide which one will taste best. Deciding between these two bourbons may be a tricky proposition for someone new

Irish whiskey vs Bourbon

Irish Whiskey vs Bourbon

We can all agree on the spelling. While American and Irish whiskeys have many things in common, both agree that whiskey should be spelled with an ‘e.’ That puts these two styles of whiskey in the minority. Scotch, Japanese and Canadian whisky all spell the work sans ‘e,’ as do

Eagle Rare vs Buffalo Trace

Eagle Rare vs Buffalo Trace

This matchup pits two products produced by the same company against each other. Both Eagle Rare and Buffalo Trace offer high-quality liquid for the suggested retail prices — but finding them at those prices is a different matter. And both are well respected by seasoned drinkers throughout the American bourbon

Knob Creek vs Jim Beam

Knob Creek vs Jim Beam

What if we told you that Knob Creek was Jim Beam? And that Jim Beam was Knob Creek? Clearly, any bourbon fan who has tried both bottles knows that’s not the case. And yet… Both brands are owned by the same company, produced at the same facilities, fermented with the

Maker's Mark vs Jim Beam

Maker’s Mark vs Jim Beam

This might be considered fratricide… Today’s matchup is between two brands of whiskey that fall under the same family tree. One an iconic bourbon, top-selling Jim Beam — the most well-known name coming out of Kentucky. The other, a premium bourbon with the signature wax seal — a fan favorite among

Woodford Reserve vs Maker's Mark

Woodford Reserve vs Maker’s Mark

In this American whiskey showdown, we’ll take a look at two prominent Bourbon whiskey brands that are premium-category fan favorites of bourbon aficionados everywhere. While each of these bottles offers a great representation of their price range, what might be most appealing is the opportunity to further your whiskey education

George Dickel vs Jack Daniel's

George Dickel vs Jack Daniel’s

We’ve got a Tennessee showdown on our hands. Jack Daniel’s and George Dickel represent the No. 1 and No. 2-selling brands of Tennessee whiskey in the world. Lynchburg and Tullahoma, where the two brands are produced, are only about 10 miles apart as the crow flies. Between them, they boast

Jim Beam White vs Black

Jim Beam White vs Black

Aged a little older. A little higher proof. Jim Beam Black Label Bourbon is a premium brand extension of the popular Jim Beam offering referred to as White Label. Because Jim Beam Black also comes at a higher price point, you might be asking ⁠— ‘Is it worth all the

Crown Royal vs Maker's Mark

Crown Royal vs Maker’s Mark

If you are a well-seasoned bourbon or Canadian whisky aficionado, you may be wondering, ‘Why does this post exist?’   These two brands might have more differences than they have similarities. But the one thing they have in common is the price point.  So, if you’re just starting out your journey

Knob Creek vs Woodford Reserve

Knob Creek vs Woodford Reserve

We’ve got ourselves a very fine matchup, indeed. Most bourbon drinkers are familiar with the names Knob Creek and Woodford Reserve. But a closer look shows how a glass of bourbon can teach us about the process of making whiskey. In this matchup, we will examine not only these two

Wild Turkey 101 vs Buffalo Trace

Wild Turkey 101 vs Buffalo Trace

A wild turkey appears over the hill, while a herd of buffalo roam the valley beyond. In the background, a paddleboat steams down the Ohio River loaded — of course — with barrels of Bourbon whiskey making their way to the port of New Orleans. Perfect. Ain’t that the most

Buffalo Trace vs Knob Creek

Buffalo Trace vs Knob Creek

In the showdown between Knob Creek and Buffalo Trace, the real winner is anyone calling themselves a bourbon fan! Each is an excellent bourbon. You may already be acquainted with the flavor profiles of these two popular brands. But whether you consider yourself a bourbon geek, whiskey snob, or are

Woodford Reserve vs Buffalo Trace Bourbon

Woodford Reserve vs Buffalo Trace

Woodford Reserve and Buffalo Trace might not be the first two brand names you think to put side-by-side in a matchup. They come from different price segments — Woodford Reserve is considered a premium brand, while Buffalo Trace’s price puts it squarely in the standard segment. But deciding between two

Woodford Reserve vs Bulleit Bourbon

Woodford Reserve vs Bulleit

To the bourbon aficionado crowd, Bulleit Bourbon and Woodford Reserve are two well-known and well-respected brands in the premium segment of the bourbon category. But if you’re wondering why these brands are so well regarded among whiskey nerds, you’ve come to the right place. In this post, we’ll peek behind

Knob Creek vs Bulleit

Knob Creek vs Bulleit

Big. Bourbon. Flavor. Bulleit and Knob Creek bourbons are excellent representations of the American whiskey style — big, bold bourbons with considerable rye content and tons of charred oak flavor. Bourbon aficionados appreciate these two brands for their complex flavor heavy with delicious barrel notes thanks to time patiently spent

Bourbon vs Scotch

Bourbon vs Scotch

Old school, meet new school. Bourbon and scotch are two of the most popular sub-categories of distilled spirits. The first thing we should point out — they’re both whiskeys… or whiskies… Is whisky a whiskey, with or without the ‘e?’ We’ll answer this and many other questions in this post.

Evan Williams Black Label vs Green Label

Evan Williams Black vs Green

There are a few reasons you may have entered ‘Evan Williams Black Label vs Green Label’ into a search engine. Maybe you’re a customer at the bar who just saw the barkeep pour a bottle with an unfamiliar green label into your cocktail. You could be a bartender or on-premise

Bourbon vs Rye

Bourbon vs Rye Whiskey

‘Bourbon’ and ‘Rye’ describe two of the most prominent American whiskey styles. They both grew from similar origins. Their histories are so intertwined that the overlap from where one style started and the other began has had a constantly-shifting border centuries in the making. Today, the terms describe distinct whiskey

Jim Beam vs Jack Daniel's

Jim Beam vs Jack Daniel’s

Grab your popcorn and a comfy seat and get ready for the battle of a lifetime — one that has been centuries in the making. Jim Beam vs. Jack Daniel’s: There are no bigger names when it comes to American whiskey. It is a showdown between the two bestselling American whiskeys

Bulleit vs Maker's Mark

Bulleit vs Maker’s Mark

Maker’s Mark and Bulleit. These two iconic bourbon brands were instrumental in the whiskey renaissance that began in the 2000s. And they both continue to spur growth in the category to this day. Each brand has a distinct bottle and label, easily recognizable from across the room ⁠— even in

Jim Beam vs Evan Williams

Jim Beam vs Evan Williams

Set your DVR. In many ways, Jim Beam vs Evan Williams is the ultimate bourbon heavyweight matchup. In terms of volume, these are the two top-selling brands in the bourbon category. Both brands are well recognized throughout North America and continue to make inroads abroad in the top European and

Ezra Brooks vs Evan Williams

Ezra Brooks vs Evan Williams

If you are looking for a bottle of reasonably-priced bourbon, you’re likely to come across two bottles that have a lot in common: Ezra Brooks and Evan Williams. The similarities are unmistakable. Price Point. Boxy Bottles. Sour Mash. Charcoal Mellowed. Bottling Proof. Are these coincidences, or is there something else

Buffalo Trace vs Bulleit

Buffalo Trace vs Bulleit

Buffalo Trace and Bulleit Bourbon are two of the most well-known American whiskeys on today’s marketplace. Whiskey lovers, bourbon enthusiasts and casual drinkers alike have come across these two iconic brands at one time or another. But while each of these brands is known for containing delicious, rye-forward liquid in

Jack Daniels vs Evan Williams

Jack Daniel’s vs Evan Williams

If you come across bottles of Jack Daniel’s and Evan Williams at your local whiskey shop, a number of things become apparent immediately. In addition to these whiskeys most likely sharing the same shelf, both come in square 750mL bottles with white lettering on black labels. The words ‘Sour Mash’

Larceny Bourbon vs Maker's Mark Bourbon

Larceny Bourbon vs Maker’s Mark

Well, if you’re in the mood for a well-matured, smooth, mellow bourbon, then you could do worse than to choose between Maker’s Mark and Larceny. Each is a fantastic bourbon, both excellent whiskeys to try neat or on the rocks, whether at home or out at your favorite bar or

Larceny Bourbon vs Buffalo Trace

Larceny Bourbon vs Buffalo Trace

Whiskey aficionados are deeply familiar with two of the most recognizable names in bourbon: Buffalo Trace and Larceny bourbon. But how do these two match up when compared side-by-side? Bourbon geeks know both of these bourbons punch out of their weight class when it comes to the quality of the

Vodka vs Whiskey

Vodka vs Whiskey

Vodka and whiskey are two types of alcoholic spirits, enjoyed in cocktails or “on the rocks” for sipping. These two alcohols are among the most popular drinks worldwide, enjoyed by people of all cultures. Vodka and whiskey are easily distinguishable—vodka is clear, like the appearance of water, and whiskey is