Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel Bourbon Review

Bottled from a single barrel of Wild Turkey bourbon aged at least 10 years, Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel Bourbon, is a 110 proof powerhouse worth grabbing almost any time you see it. It’s a big bold bourbon and the high proof also makes it a perfect summer sipper over a rock of ice.

Russell's Reserve Single Barrel Bourbon

If for some reason I had to drink one, and only one, label of bourbon for the rest of my life my first response would be “stock me up with Russell’s 98 and I’ll die happy”. After “they” informed me that’s not possible I’d pick RR SiB. I’d get something I love, but with enough variance to always keep it interesting.

Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel Bourbon Review: Details and Tasting Notes

Russell's Reserve Single Barrel Bourbon Is goood stuff

In PlumpJack’s Words: Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel Bourbon

Nose: Wet cigar tobacco, dark chocolate and cinnamon. More pipe tobacco with an herbaceous spicy quality.
Palate: Wow. This is a big bold bad ass in your face whiskey yet it is incredibly smooth. Chewy, rich and full bodied, the flavors double down from nose to palate. Turkey funk, check. Did I mention the tobacco?
Finish: Dark chocolate cigar wraps. Absolute literal translation from nose to palate to finish with a long lengthy midrange. This is why I drink Turkey, to feel wiser.

Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel Bourbon 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: 16-478

Price: $70

Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel Bourbon Tasting Notes

EYE
Mahogany

NOSE
Oak, dark fruit, spice, brown sugar, vanilla, leather, roasted grain and some slight biscuity notes.

PALATE
Oak, dark fruit, citrus peels, spice, char, cocoa and leather with some nuts.

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

BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
Great balance, full body and a dry-tannic feel.

Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel Bourbon 16-478 Review: OVERALL

Russell's Reserve Single Barrel Bourbon Review

This is raw Wild Turkey power. I want cologne, soap, dryer sheets, candles and deodorant that smells like this; I want my apt to smell like this when I walk in the door every day. The palate is equally solid, though not quite as complex and enticing. The finish, however, is pure oaky magic, and I find that a bit odd for it to kick up so much there.

Now and then a whiskey comes through the official TWJ tasting room, aka my dining room, that has this odd up-down-up cadence. Where the aroma is killer, the palate is comparitively flat and then somehow the finish is killer. I’d love to know the chemistry and/or biology for what could cause that but whatever the reason it’s always a bit odd – but it didn’t stop me from enjoying this Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel Bourbon (16-478)… so there’s that.

SCORE: 88/100 (B+)