John Hughes hosts a virtual blind tasting with friends Patrick, Don, Bill, and David Levine—testing three eight-year bourbons at 100-101 proof. What starts as a friendly competition to identify three mystery whiskeys becomes a lesson in how blind tastings force us to challenge our assumptions. Don nails the Wilderness Trail 8-year pick, while the group debates Buffalo Trace characteristics and discovers surprising preferences when brand bias is removed.

Key Topics with Timestamps:

03:04 - The tasting begins: Three mystery bourbons, all eight years, all ~100 proof

05:35 - Sample #1: Initial guesses range from Buffalo Trace to Barton

11:20 - Sample #2: Debate over whether it's MGP or something more controversial

18:45 - Sample #3 : The group tries to pin down the distinctive profile

26:15 - Rankings and favorites: Group consensus emerges on quality hierarchy

35:15 - Why blind tastings are both humbling and valuable for experienced drinkers

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