Russell’s Reserve Bourbon Whiskey Review

Do you love whiskey? Do you love bourbon? Do you love Wild Turkey? If you answered yes to all of those questions then you’d probably love a glass of Russell’s Reserve Bourbon Whiskey. I obviously said yes to all of the above questions which is why we’re reviewing this and three others this week on TWJ.

Russell's Reserve Bourbon Whiskey

At this point I’ve talked about these releases, the Russell’s and Wild Turkey to a level that’s bordering on obsession, so I don’t have much else to add in this section about this label. So… on to the review.

Russell’s Reserve Bourbon Whiskey Review: Details and Tasting Notes

Russell's Reserve Bourbon Whiskey Is a great single barrel pick.

In PlumpJack’s Words: Russell’s Reserve Bourbon Whiskey

“Nose: Classic turkey profile of fruit, spice, and leather. Stewed and caramelized stone fruits complimented by a cinnamon spice.
Palate: Immediately pleasing, this is a Jimmy whiskey. Vanilla, brown sugar, caramel, oak and spice. Un-complicatedly delicious, I don’t think hard about it, I just drink it. Quickly.
Finish: Dry and spicy with a lot of vanilla and kettle corn. The quintessential Russell’s Reserve expression.”

Russell’s Reserve Bourbon Whiskey price, ABV, age and other details

Region: Kentucky, USA

Distiller: Wild Turkey
Bottled For: PlumpJack Wines
Mash bill: 75% Corn, 13% Rye, 12% Barley
Cask: New Charred Oak
Age: NAS (10+ years)
ABV: 55%

Non-Chill Filtered | Natural Color

Barrel: 16-533

Price: $60

Russell’s Reserve Bourbon Whiskey Tasting Notes

EYE
Ruddy Copper

NOSE
Oak, dark fruit, brown sugar, baking spice, cocoa, leather, sandalwood and some hazelnuts and grapes.

PALATE
Oak, dark fruit, spice, brown sugar, menthol, anise heavy herbal and some candied orange peels and vanilla.

FINISH
Long -> Oak, spice, brown sugar, char and dark fruit.

BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
Great balance, full body and a round oily feel.

Russell’s Reserve Bourbon Whiskey Review: OVERALL

Russell's Reserve Bourbon Whiskey Review

What in the what? This Russell’s Reserve Bourbon Whiskey (16-533) is a GREAT pick. It’s a big oaky whiskey that’s rounded out nicely with complex sweet characteristics. The end result is a dynamic whiskey that’s making me happy in all the right places. Enough so that I flirted with a 90, but that flirting is what stopped me. Unless I’m 100% solid from the onset that it’s an A- level I don’t hand it out.

If I have to “convince” myself it’s that good then it’s not and so this keeps a high B+, but for no true fault. The aroma is a slab of oak with sweets and spices layered on it and the palate is a near copy of it pulling in some added herbal notes. The finish… is utterly delightful and might be my favorite part of the whiskey. A great PlumpJack pick.

SCORE: 89/100 (B+)