Russell's Reserve Single Barrel Rye Whiskey

Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel Rye is part of Wild Turkey’s Russell’s Reserve line named in honor of Jimmy and Eddie Russell, the father-son master distiller team that have a combined tenure at Wild Turkey in excess of 100 years. Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel Rye is a single barrel rye whiskey that is hand-selected. Unlike Russell’s Reserve 6 Year Rye, the Single Barrel Rye doesn’t feature an age statement. Like all of Wild Turkey’s rye whiskeys, it’s made from their single rye mashbill.

Tasting Notes:

Nose: A straightforward and somewhat unimpressive aroma out of the gate. Faint notes of gingerbread and hay work well against the aroma’s heavier caramel and rye grain scents. There isn't anything flawed about its composition except for the fact that it doesn’t leave much of an impression at all. A forceful swirl of the glass helps open up the aroma by bringing out more of its caramel notes, but the nose is just not as intense as it should be.

Palate: An enjoyable display of classic rye notes are present with the notable omission of cinnamon. Its rye grain, caramel, and kettle corn notes don’t reinvent the wheel, but they perform well together. Its most noteworthy trait is a veil of creaminess that envelopes the palate bringing forth a delicious lemon note. Overall it’s an easy sipper that isn’t all that challenging, leaning towards a straightforward delivery of flavors.

Finish: A mildly dry, oaky, and caramel aftertaste rides this whiskey to completion. Mid-finish some interchangeably sweet and spicy notes pop in the form of cherry, lemon cookie, and rye spice flavors. They don’t stick around for very long, but are welcomed and help elevate this finish a notch. Its heat carries with you as does its overall dryness.