Review #133 Russell's Reserve 13yr: Bourbon
Updated: Jan 29
Score: 9.2 / 10
Distillery: Wild Turkey Distillery
Type: Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Wild Turkey continues to make fantastic expression, Ever since switching to the actual glass bottles for their 101, drastic steps have been made in quality control. The rye is amazing as well. However, this expression is truly something special.
Every summer a special batch is brewed specifically for their 10yr and 13yr Russell's Reserve. It is a project that I hope continues, well basically forever. I am always looking forward to these when (if) I see them in the stores.
Whiskey Review:
Nose: The first note I picked up was an inviting buttered popcorn which was followed by a sharp dusty rye spice. After sifting around for a bit, I found a rich milk chocolate, cacao, vanilla, and salted caramel. Nose to the top of the glass I get a dusty barnyard hay. Nose to the bottom of the glass picks up nothing but seared oak and campfire smoke. It packs some familiar scents for Turkey fans which I find wholesome and nostalgic.
Palate: Plum hits the tongue first and coats the tongue. From there the pour explodes with a surprising lemon citrus and apple. The drinking experience turns very chocolatey on the back-end with a prickling rye spice that dances around the palate. Caramel and black pepper linger on the back-end as a poignant rye spice flourishes and fades seamlessly into dark chocolate. Somehow this is like drinking a liquid hot Milky Way rolled around in black pepper and hay.
Finish: Long and moderately tannic. Rye spice lingers on the sides of the mouth and simmers for a good while. Lots of oak and woody flavors take a backseat to a delectable dark chocolate and cacao finish. There's seemingly a layer of tiramisu that coats the palate and accentuates other potent flavors. I get light vanilla and coffee notes here.
Score: 9.2
Scale:
S+ Sensational - The Pinnacle (9.5+)
A - AXEceptional (astounding) (9-9.5)
B - bravo (step aBove average) (8-8.9)
C - competent (7-7.9)
D - disappointing (6-6.9)
F - flush it down the toilet (fail) (5.9 below)
Availability? Rare. What a slapper whiskey! That is exactly what you'll also have to do to someone if you find it on a shelf. There will be people running and acting a fool. Better to wait for a allocated event and calmly wait in line.
