Didn't read the whole thread.... BUT...
Current Brad Penn is the old Kendell. Kendell was the bomb until they removed all of the good zinc and other additives from it.
Once they removed them, Kendell became garbage.
Brad Penn and Valvoline VR-1 are of about the same quality, with the Valvoline milking a little more with an improper alky tune.
I buy the Valvoline when I can't find BP.