Since its debut in 2021, Russell’s Reserve 13 yr outdated (RR13) has remained probably the most common bourbons made by Wild Turkey Distillery. Grasp distiller Eddie Russell beforehand had been mixing 13 yr outdated liquid into the model’s flagship 10 yr outdated bourbon, till he bought the thought of bottling this older part by itself. The primary RR13 was one-off batch made in honor of Eddie’s father, legendary grasp distiller Jimmy Russell. That launch was spectacular, notching a 93-point rating from our tasting panel. Followers clamored for extra, so Russell determined to show it right into a recurring launch the next yr.
Russell’s Reserve’s restricted expressions usually don’t comply with a tough and quick launch schedule, however RR13 has been out there as an annual providing since 2022. So final yr, when the information got here that there wouldn’t be a contemporary batch for 2024, it was an enormous shock for followers. The model as a substitute stunned everybody with a restricted version 15 yr outdated bourbon, meant as a one-off stand-in. This yr, Wild Turkey introduced that the 13 yr outdated was making its official return, and this time with the next proof than earlier than.
What’s within the Bottle?
This newest launch is bottled at barrel proof, coming in at 61.2% ABV— a reasonably sizable leap over the standard 57.4% we’ve seen in earlier batches. It’s additionally the highest-proof whiskey ever launched by Wild Turkey—clocking in simply barely larger than Russell’s Reserve Single Rickhouse Assortment Camp Nelson B, which launched in October. But it surely may not maintain that title for lengthy. The plan is for subsequent batches to be bottled at various barrel proofs, which leaves the door open for even larger proof factors. We haven’t tasted the most recent model but, however grasp distiller Eddie Russell says its profile could be very a lot in-line with earlier batches, albeit with a bit extra depth of taste (doubtless because of the upper ABV).
That is the primary RR13 to hold the distilling season on label, and all future releases will achieve this going ahead. The restricted launch carries a instructed retail value of $200, and it’s out there nationwide. Bottles will also be discovered on the Wild Turkey Customer Middle in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky. Extra data on precisely the way to buy a bottle will be discovered through the Russell’s Reserve publication.
Russell’s Reserve 13 yr outdated Bourbon (2025 Launch)
ABV: 61.2%
SRP: $200
Availability: Restricted; ationwide beginning later this summer season
