Early Times Bottled in Bond Showdown: Brown-Forman vs Sazerac | Tortured Bourbon
Early Times Bottled in Bond Bourbon
The Early Times Bottled in Bond Debate
Few bottles in the bourbon world have sparked as much discussion recently as Early Times Bottled in Bond.
For years, Early Times BiB was one of the great budget bourbon legends. Produced by Brown-Forman, it quietly built a reputation as one of the best values in bourbon. At 100 proof and Bottled-in-Bond, it delivered big flavor, classic Kentucky character, and a price that made it easy to grab again and again.
Then everything changed.
Brown-Forman sold the Early Times brand to Sazerac, the spirits giant behind Buffalo Trace, Barton 1792, and many other major names in bourbon. Production of the new Early Times Bottled in Bond eventually shifted to Barton 1792 Distillery in Bardstown, and bourbon fans immediately started asking the big question:
Did the bourbon change?
That debate has been running through bourbon forums, whiskey YouTube channels, and tasting groups ever since.
So we decided to do what we always do here at Tortured Bourbon — put the bottles in the glass and find out for ourselves.
The Bourbon Tasting: Brown-Forman vs Sazerac
In this episode we conduct a side-by-side bourbon tasting comparing:
Early Times Bottled in Bond (Brown-Forman era)
Early Times Bottled in Bond (Sazerac era)
Both bottles carry the Bottled-in-Bond designation, meaning they follow strict federal standards for bourbon production: distilled in one season, aged at least four years, and bottled at exactly 100 proof.
But the real question is how they perform in the glass.
During the tasting we break down the nose, palate, and finish of each bourbon to see whether the newer version holds up to the reputation built by the original Brown-Forman release.
Is the new version still one of the best value bourbons on the market?
Or has the change in production altered the profile that made Early Times such a cult favorite?
There’s only one way to find out.
A Guest Joins the Bourbon Madness
Joining us for this episode is Mike from Bespoaken, who adds another perspective to the tasting and the ongoing Early Times debate.
If you’re interested in innovative approaches to whiskey and flavor development, be sure to check out Bespoaken and what they’re doing.
You can learn more here:
And find them online at:
@Bespoaken
Watch the Full Bourbon Review
Below is the full episode where we taste both bourbons, debate the differences, and decide which bottle deserves the next pour.
Final Thoughts
The Early Times Bottled in Bond transition has become one of the most talked-about shifts in modern bourbon.
Whenever a beloved bourbon changes hands between major distilleries, bourbon fans naturally worry about what might happen to the flavor, the consistency, and the value.
Sometimes the fears are justified.
Sometimes they’re not.
That’s exactly the kind of debate we love exploring here at Tortured Bourbon — our little corner of the internet where we drink bourbon, talk smack, and try to figure out what actually deserves a second pour.
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