The foundation of this storied brand may have been built by Jimmy Russell, known by many as "the master distiller's master distiller," a legend of bourbon. But the devotion and artistry for fine bourbon runs in the Russell family. It was Jimmy's son, Master Distiller Eddie Russell, who spread his wings to create Russell's Reserve® as a tribute to his father's legacy. For decades, Eddie learned everything Jimmy had to teach: every tradition, every technique, every touch of craft. Having mastered the art but filled with his own original ideas, Russell's Reserve is Eddie's way of crafting bourbon that embodies his and Jimmy's shared passion.
The Russells offer a blend of old and new, an infusion of timeless traditions with modern and fresh thinking and best-in-class quality guaranteed, making each bottle of Russell's Reserve a celebration of the past, crafted specifically with today's bourbon drinker in mind. With this vision and focus, this barrel was crafted in the birthplace of bourbon using techniques dating back to pre-Prohibition—it has been individually bottled at 110 proof and non-chill filtered to guarantee maximum flavor. This barrel has a unique personality, adding spicy, bold flavors to the rich, signature toffee and vanilla notes.
From Lee Diaz, Topflight Series Panel Member:
Russell's Reserve has quickly become a treasured extension of Wild Turkey, first released to honor the 45th anniversary of Jimmy Russell's work as Master Distiller. It has become a clear fan favorite with highly coveted releases. Developing a standard for what Kentucky bourbon can be, Jimmy and Eddie Russell have continued to deliver a distinctive experience in selecting astounding single barrels, which celebrate what we love about Russell's Reserve while offering some nuance to make it stand alone. What made having this 2023 Russell's Reserve Single Barrel Selection even more special was that it helped mark the 10th anniversary of the launch of this single barrel program, which started in 2013.
When we made this selection, there were five barrel options in front of us—they were ALL incredible. This gift of beautiful pours and the difficult weight of picking the right one was a remarkable experience. The result before you is a lovely representation of what we have come to love from Russell's Reserve, with distinct and delectable flavors that will easily be enjoyed neat or on a rock. On the nose, you'll quickly connect with bold and rich aromas of brown sugar, oak, clove, and vanilla. You'll be greeted with cacao, toffee, graham crackers, and candied cherry with a spicy character on the palate. The finish offers a lasting complex lingering balance of nuttiness like cashews, maple syrup, subtle malt, and pipe tobacco spice. This bottle will give you one more reason to love Russell's Reserve.
TOPFLIGHT: Series 2, Barrel No. 15
PROOF: 110.00
AGE: 8 Years, 8 Months
MASHBILL: 75% corn, 13% rye and 12% malted barley
FINISHING BARREL: New American Oak
CHAR / TOAST: Heavy Alligator Char
WAREHOUSE LOCATION: TY-Q, Floor 4
BARRELED ON: 11/7/14
DATE PULLED: 7/17/23
