Veteran Bourbon Review: Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel

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History – “Our home was founded by Jimmy Russell, known by many as “the master distiller’s master distiller,” a legend of bourbon. The devotion and artistry for fine bourbon runs in the Russell family, and Master Distiller Eddie Russell is no different. Eddie, Jimmy’s son, joined the family legacy, and for 30 years he learned everything Jimmy had to teach: every tradition, every technique, every touch of craft.  When the time came to spread his wings, Eddie created Russell’s Reserve® as a tribute to his father’s legacy and their shared passion for bourbon, but filled with original ideas, showing Jimmy that he had his own way of crafting bourbon. Jimmy Russell has been an integral part of the Wild Turkey family for over 60 years, making him the longest-tenured, active Master Distiller in the bourbon industry. He was trained by the greats and inspired the next generation, passing down his time-honored secrets and bourbon contributions to his son, Eddie. Together, they created Russell’s Reserve as one of the only father-and-son Master Distiller teams in the industry.”-russellsreserve

Value – I purchased this bottle for $52.49 at the base package store in Jacksonville, FL. I believe this was a solid price.

Appearance – Medium copper in color. The body has the shape of a typical cylinder, with the top being slightly broader than the base and a short neck capped with a cork. The label also has a nice appearance, and the embossing at the top is a lovely touch.

Nose – Immediate oak and caramel, followed by cinnamon. This nose also has a leathery touch with little to no heat. Awesome Nose!

Palate – On the palate, the spice becomes more evident and exhibits a low heat. Toffee, vanilla, and oak wrap up the flavor profile. An excellent palate that is well-balanced and can be enjoyed neat or on the rocks.

Finish – The low cinnamon heat from the palate gently fades, leaving a wonderful warm sensation in the mouth. After that, there is a blend of toffee, oak, and caramel.

Summary – In summary, this feels like a seasoned bourbon from the start and does not let up throughout the review. I was stoked about the results of this review. This delivers wonderful aroma and flavor, making for a pour that you can look forward to after a long, hard day.

“Russell’s Reserve once again provides a quality product. However, my only complaint is that I like my bourbon with a little more heat, which this 110-proof bourbon lacks. Which I know is weird. How is a 110-proof bottle missing any heat at that proof? It is just that smooth and well-balanced.“

–Eric Watkins

Uniqueness- 1-10 – 6

Appearance- 1-10 – 7

Nose- 1-20 – 16

Palate- 1-20 – 16

Finish- 1-20 – 18

Value- 1-20 – 17