Wild Turkey’s Russell’s Reserve model tends to fly underneath the radar a bit, however ignoring this newest launch could be a mistake. It may be the most effective bottling ever to come back out underneath the label. You’re getting a 13 yr outdated cask-strength bourbon, accessible for a restricted time. Right here’s a little bit of the story behind it.
Straight up and straight out of the Commonwealth of Kentucky comes one of many boldest, but easy, limited-edition bourbons ever. Honoring the household ties that bind, Eddie Russell is introducing Russell’s Reserve 13 Yr Previous, a 114.8-proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon that, as soon as once more, exemplifies the Russell household’s mastery of bourbon-making. Within the final distilling problem, Eddie aged this one-of-a-kind launch for not less than 13 years, maintained the barrel proof and opted to not chill filter the whiskey, making a extra sturdy mouthfeel and genuine bourbon expertise.
“Crafting Russell’s Reserve 13 Yr Previous turned out to be one among my most rewarding experiences as a distiller,“ stated Eddie Russell, who celebrates an astounding 40 years of bourbon making on the Wild Turkey Distillery this yr. “This launch embodies our dedication to creating uniquely satisfying flavors, and, fingers down, it’s one among our most uncommon bourbons.”
Replace: This whiskey has been reissued twice since its 2021 introduction. Critiques of every launch observe.
Russell’s Reserve Bourbon 13 Years Previous (2021) Evaluation
The whiskey begins off sturdy, a pleasant nostril showcasing chocolate and a few mint, plus a surfeit of baking spices and orange peel. Seductive and a bit Christmassy, it smells heavenly even right here in the midst of summer time.
The palate holds its playing cards a bit tightly at first, leaning on graphite and toasty barrel char, however it will definitely provides method and reveals its hand. A second of endurance reveals toasted coconut and a light-weight lacing of chocolate, then layers of spice and extra of that orange peel. It’s just a little racy at full proof however by no means unmanageable — and I’d by no means have pegged this at coming in over 57% abv — taking you down an immersive and more and more complicated rabbit gap the extra you sip on it. The end presents countless waves of caramel, complementing the palate and soothing any tough edges you may need encountered alongside the best way. MSRP is $70, however even at present markups, it’s a particular purchase. 114.8 proof.
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Russell’s Reserve Bourbon 13 Years Previous (2023) Evaluation
The 2023 model of Russell’s Reserve 13 Yr Previous Bourbon hits the bottom working with a basic mature bourbon development, the nostril revealing notes of peanut shells and cinnamon pink hots, then a punch of butterscotch. Extra peppery than the 2021 installment, the aromatics create an expectation of a reasonably aggressive ingesting expertise.
Not so, it seems: The palate is nice and fairly restrained, and whereas there’s ample warmth from the ethanol to create some back-of-the-throat burn, there’s loads of room for the whiskey’s extra effusive traits to emerge. A couple of drops of water work wonders, serving to that overt cinnamon segue towards extra of an allspice character, blended nicely with notes of peanut brittle, milk chocolate, and vanilla Coke. Once more there’s loads of cinnamon dragging into the end, making a transparent through-line from begin to end. Finally, the denouement reveals some lingering barrel char components, which don’t in any respect detract.
Whereas quite much less complicated than its final installment, Russell’s Reserve 13 Years Previous stays a prime shelf expertise that, greater than something, reveals off the spectacular barrel choice expertise which have been mastered by the crew at Wild Turkey. 114.8 proof.
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Russell’s Reserve Bourbon 13 Years Previous (2025) Evaluation
The massive change with 2025 is the introduction of a brand new proof level — significantly larger at 123.8 proof, practically 5% larger in alcohol over the 2021 and 2023 expressions.
The change definitely works.
The nostril is unquestionably sizzling, peppery, and char-laden — but it surely nonetheless leaves room for loads of wealthy fragrant character: Intense toffee and caramel notes, tobacco, toasted coconut, and cocoa nibs later within the sport. A classically Wild Turkey peanut notice is current however muted, maybe dulled down by the heavy abv.
The palate takes a significant shift and reminds you immediately why that is such a successful whiskey. Candy however not overblown, it evokes butterscotch, apple crumble, and plenty of cinnamon — the latter turning into dominant with sustained time in glass. A contact of peanut offers a creamy underbelly for the whiskey because it develops, with chocolate and cream-laden espresso constructing steadily.
This all comes into give attention to a end which options chocolate-covered peanuts, nutmeg, and cigar field. It’s very a lot harking back to prior years’ releases, however the larger abv simply provides you extra of all the pieces — whereas by some means avoiding coming throughout as pungent or blown-out in any method. Nice stuff, although the MSRP has additionally risen once more, by the by. 123.8 proof.
A / $200 [BUY IT NOW FROM RESERVEBAR] [BUY IT NOW FROM FROOTBAT]
Russell’s Reserve Bourbon 13 Years Previous (2021)
$100
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