RUSSELL’S RESERVE
– Small Batch 10-Year Old Bourbon
Distilled by: Austin Nichols Distilling Company in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, USA.
Website: www.wildturkeybourbon.com
Bottle Specifics:
90 Proof (45% Alc/Vol)
North Carolina Price: $33.50
Served: Neat and then on the rocks.
At first glance, the Russell’s Reserve bottle has a rustically, simple appearance. After pulling the wooden cork-backed stopper, the thick industrial pipe flange style glass neck of the bottle provokes images of what I imagine a bottle from the 1920’s or 30’s might have had. Next, a scent of oak and licorice was pleasantly welcomed. Served neat, the first sip had a strong but gentle spicy warmth. It was extremely smooth in the middle with hints of cinnamon, vanilla, and caramel. At the finish, a smooth taste of licorice with a touch of pleasant oak flavors went down very easy. Then the Russell’s was sampled on the rocks. As seems to be the case with most bourbons and no different here, ice only enhances the smoothness of the bourbon. In this case the start to finish only became that much smoother with each sip. This is one of the best small batch bourbons that I have sampled to date. Russell’s Reserve 10-Year Small Batch bourbon is outstanding. When I try things for the first time a question that I ask myself is: Would I have or buy it again? This bourbon is certainly on my list of one to keep on the shelf.
At the 25 to 35 dollar range, I would rate this bourbon (on a 1-5 scale) as a 4.8 for taste and a 4.8 for value. Hats off to the father and son collaboration of Jimmy and Chet Russell for producing such a fine small batch bourbon. I can’t wait to find a bottle of the Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel.
Bourbon Brief 