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Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon vs Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond
Comparing Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon and Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond reveals a matchup between a blender-built, wheated bottling and a traditional, even-keeled Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon | Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 72% corn, 18% wheat, 10% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | 5 years +1 yr | 4 years |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$49 – $55 | ~$16 – $22 ~$33 less |
| Availability | Limited | Widely available easier to find |
- Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon and Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond do not publish an official mash bill.
- US shelf prices as of 2026-10; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon 7 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10
oak 6/5 oak: Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon 6 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
fruit 3/4 fruit: Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon 3 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10
nuttiness 5/4 nuttiness: Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon 5 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10
spice 5/5 spice: Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon 5 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
heat 5/5 heat: Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon 5 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land close together on every flavor axis — the differences are in texture and proof more than character.
- Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon: A Notre Dame-licensed wheater given a second, double-oaked barrel. Maple, honey butter and toasted nuts lead, with charred wood and pepper on a long, warm finish.
- Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond: A bonded 100-proof bourbon at a price that barely seems possible, though distribution is patchy outside Kentucky. Unremarkable in the best way: it does everything a bourbon should and nothing extra.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon if you want a double-oaked wheater with maple, toasted nuts and charred wood.
- Go with Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond if you want a bonded Kentucky bourbon for under twenty dollars, if you can find it in your state.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon); neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond).