Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel marks our return to bourbon reviews after a 3 week dry spell that was health related. We took a ride down to Massachusetts from New Hampshire to Liquor Junction to explore there offerings. This liquor store has become my go to shop for purchases having grown tired of the politics of the New Hampshire Liquor Commission.
According to the Russell’s Reserve website, “Crafted in the birthplace of bourbon with techniques dating back to pre-Prohibition, each barrel of Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel Bourbon is individually bottled at 110 proof and non-chill filtered to guarantee maximum flavor. Each barrel has its own unique personality, adding spicy, bold flavors to our rich, signature toffee and vanilla notes.”
The line is made by Wild Turkey and is named in honor of Jimmy & Eddie Russell, the father & son master distiller team who has worked for more than 100 combined years at Wild Turkey.
This Single Barrel is close to a Barrel Proof offering as Wild Turkey sees there single mashbill enter barrels near 110 proof compared to most other distilleries that see the bourbon enter at the maximum allowable 125 proof.
I know some of you might be wondering if a bourbon can only go in at 125 proof how do I have a bottle that is 131 proof. The answer is evaporation. In a dry, hot climate as the bourbon sits in a barrel, more water evaporates than alcohol which concentrates the content increasing the proof over time.
Bourbon Review: Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel
ABV: 55% (110 Proof)
Age: Not Disclosed (Believed to be 8-10 Years)
Mash Bill: 75% Corn, 13% Rye, 12% Malted Barley
Distillery: Wild Turkey
Location: Lawrenceburg, KY (USA)
The Nose: A sweet aroma wafts upward from my glass with hints of sour apple and oak on the initial pull from the glass. Letting it sit for a few minutes a secondary pull serves up additional aromas of caramel and pears with a lingering tobacco component.
The Taste: Sour apple notes carry over from the aroma to the palate on the initial sip with nuances of banana and mango. The tropical flavors disappear after the first sip as notes of rye emerge creating a wonderful spice with nuances of caramel and leather. The sips are bold and flavorful with a nice amount of complexity that seems to introduce something new with each sip.
The Finish: Rye spice lingers on a long finish before giving way to a leather that dries out the palate with cured tobacco that is reminiscent of a rolling room at a cigar factory and a touch of salted nuts.
Conclusion: For me the bar has been set high for Russell’s Reserve as my first pour of the brand was the 13 Year release. If I was to walk into a liquor store and saw the Single Barrel and the 13 Year and only had the funds for one, I believe I would choose the Single Barrel. This outstanding bourbon stands out at the price point and proof. If you see it, buy at least one bottle of not two. It’s wonderfully complex and smooth while drinking as if it had a lower ABV then it does.
Score: 94
Price: $64.99 (750ml)
