Russell’s Reserve Rye Single Barrel is a new product that will be coming out later this year and from what I understand will be available in limited quantities for off-premise. For the bar and store single barrel program it will be available starting January of next year (2016). This is one of the new Wild Turkey whiskeys I got to try when I visited the Wild Turkey distillery a few weeks ago and is a fantastic example of Wild Turkey rye.
Aged for 6 years and bottled at 104 proof, Eddie had first hoped to offer this at the same 110 proof as the Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel Bourbon, but according to him it came across too sweet. So he played around with the addition of water and landed on 104 proof as the sweet spot to really bring out the spicy character of the rye. I didn’t get to taste it at the fill 110 proof, but at 104 proof this rye is definitely packed with flavor.
Russell’s Reserve Rye Single Barrel Info
Region: Kentucky, USA
Distiller: Wild Turkey
Cask: New charred oak
Age: 6 years
ABV: 52%
Non-Chill Filtered | Natural Color
Price: $60
Russell’s Reserve Rye Single Barrel Review
EYE
Light caramel
NOSE
A charge of rye and baking spice followed by strong notes of pepper, dill, vanilla and citrus. Lighter notes of citrus, nuts and fruit fade in and out. It’s a wonderful rye focused nose and I enjoyed it immensely. A great cask.
PALATE
Heavy rye and baking spices roll across the palate, forging the path for notes of citrus, dill, dark sweets and a bit of mint to come through. Like the nose the palate is rye centric and wonderful.
FINISH
Long spicy fade of wood, citrus and dark sweets.
BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
A really nice balance, thick full body and viscous heavy texture.
OVERALL
The Russell’s Reserve Rye Single Barrel experience will, by its nature, change a bit from cask to cask, but this cask was fantastic; if it had been available in the gift shop I would have walked out the door with a bottle. Once it gets put out as an official option in the single barrel program it will be a great new option in the rye category and I’m definitely looking forward to it. High proof, non-chill filtered and spicy just like a good rye should be. Loved it.
SCORE: 90/100