Russell’s Reserve Small Batch, named after Wild Turkey’s famous master distiller Jimmy Russell. RR comes in a medicinal shaped corked bottle that sells for around $30 and can be found at most stores that sell spirits. It is bottled at 90 proof and aged 10 years.
NOSE
Ron: Besides the usual suspects, caramel, vanilla and citrus, I got tobacco, sorghum and a hint of cinnamon and red fruit.
Todd: The first and overwhelmingly dominate aroma for me was apricot. Behind that I picked up some oak and honey. I like to say it had a nice mellow nose.
TASTE
Ron: Very smooth at 90 proof with quite a bit going on. I tasted almost everything I got on the nose with spice replacing the red fruit.
Todd: Nice and sweet and surprisingly not too hot neat. In fact I think I liked RR better without ice. I got the apricot that I smelled along with a lot of little things, citrus, caramel, vanilla and oak.
FINISH
Ron: Medium finish with hints of caramel and tobacco.
Todd: Medium to medium-long finish with a slight medicinal taste.
OVERALL
Ron: Pretty balanced and somewhat complex with lots of flavors, but they don’t necessarily blend well. This creates a good drink rather that a superb drink.
Todd: I have to agree with Ron, this is right on the precipice of being a great Bourbon at a very good price. To me it just lacks something, it is still very good, not just great.
Nose 4.5 of 5
Taste 7.5 out of 10
Finish 4 out of 5
Total Score 16 out of 20 Barrels
This was a hard one. Russell’s Reserve has a lot going for it, nice nose along with a smooth taste that has a lot of flavors. But neither of us were overwhelmed by the overall product. We didn’t come away thinking ” can’t wait to try this again.”
Having said that, we would recommend you try this yourself. Also, if you find it on sale in the mid $20s, pick up a bottle.