Bourbon Reviews:




Bottling NameWild Turkey Russells Reserve
Bottled ByAustin Nichols Distilling Co. Lawrenceburg,KY
TypeKentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Alcohol content101 Proof
Availability US: Available Japan: Not Available Duty Free: Not Available Europe: Not Available
Age10
Views (since 20080612) 47918
Bottling Info<From their website> At the Wild Turkey Distillery, bourbon is a family tradition. Our Master Distiller Jimmy Russell follows his father and grandfather before him. His son, Eddie is a veritable newcomer, with just 20 years under his belt. Passing down the secrets of the distilling tradition from generation to generation is one of the things that has kept Wild Turkey true to the strictest standards in an era when so many others are willing to cut corners.

Jimmy Russell has always held the line on tradition. You???ll still see him, now joined by Eddie, early in the morning, inspecting shipments of grains as they come in, checking the stills, or wandering through the warehouses to make sure the barrels are getting the proper circulation.

Jimmy and Eddie recently realized they had more in common than just their family connection. ???Both Eddie and I believe 10 years is a wonderful stage of maturity for a bourbon,??? comments Jimmy. In fact, it was Eddie who suggested to Jimmy that they offer a special bottling for consumers to enjoy.

Jimmy agreed and in honor of their joint effort, he put their name on it. Russell's Reserve is deep amber in color with a nose that is rich in vanilla, oak, toffee and a touch of old leather. The body is huge, and the palate is very spicy with notes of chili peppers, tamarind, almonds and cumin.

Russells' Reserve has been awarded a Silver Medal at the 2000 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.



Review from Mike (BourbonEnthusiast Review ID 2378, Created:20170406212042)
Purchased at:
Purchased for:$49
Info on this bottle:Rusell's Reserve Single Barrel (no age stmt - prob 6-8 YO?)
Nose:Oak, vanilla, spices, alcohol burn.
Taste:Not as rich in barrel flavors as many barrel proof bourbons (e.g. Stagg Jr), but still some nice richness. Since there is no age statement, this is (my guess) probably no more than 8 years old, and probably a couple of years younger.
Finish:A decent finish
Overall:I have never had a bad Wild Turkey bourbon, and this is no exception. Still, it is my contention that this is not a $50 bourbon. It is regular WT from a barrel without adding any water. My opinion is that it is a gimmick bourbon, priced at about 1/3 more than its real value.

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Review from Birdo (BourbonEnthusiast Review ID 1974, Created:20110618093043, Updated:20110619215502)
Purchased at:Sams Club
Purchased for:$23.99
Info on this bottle:10 y/0
Nose:Nice vanilla and spice, sweet
Taste:Sweet with vanilla. Spicy cinnamon and oak.
Finish:Long and pleasant, medium thickness
Overall:Like WT101 only smoother and not as spiky. The boys at Wild Turkey are true artisan distillers. $23.99 is a good value, I woulda felt jipped if I paid $30 like some charge. Russel Reserve is very similar to Buffalo Trace, many would like this fine bourbon.

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Review from Pieface (BourbonEnthusiast Review ID 1558, Created:20090515001340, Updated:20090515001855)
Purchased at:Vintage Cellars
Purchased for:$79.95AUD
Info on this bottle:101proof 10YO
Nose:Closed at first with much alcohol. Some breathing time offers Caramel to Burnt Toffee. Wood shavings and leather.
Taste:Molasses and Butterscotch. A persistant tingle reminds you of the proof but remains a bit player. The longer you hold the whiskey in your mouth the more spice and dried fruit flavours emerge.
Finish:The cinnamon and spice comes in strong now. Fades to subdued aniseed and then the oak comes in as the finish lingers for an extended period.
Overall:My favourite bourbon to date. This turkey knocks off the rough edges of the 8YO 101 offering whilst remaining true to the rambunctious WT character. Great balance and complexity that is dynamic. It's a real treat to take a pour of this and enjoy the transitions this whiskey takes in the glass.

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Review from Mike (BourbonEnthusiast Review ID 1507, Created:20090226182241)
Purchased at:
Nose:Wild Turkey warming rye, nuts, leather, faint oak, mild char, hint of vanilla.........bourbon as it is spoken in many languages, but best known in American!!
Taste:Lordy, Lordy, it is sweet.........lordy, lordy, it is spicy.........lordy, lordy, it will wake up the dead with its pure bourbon essence. Tell me a story of American Ruggedness, tell me a story of American Inventiveness, Tell me a story of US Grant............I understand his love of whiskey. Tell me a story of Mark Twain ...........I understand his love of whiskey. I will tell you the story of Wild Turkey!!
Finish:It is never over............surely you did not think otherwise.
Overall:Wild Turkey..........as American as the frontier.........come talk to me when you know that Wild Turkey could not have been born anywhere else in the Universe!

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Review from Kendall (BourbonEnthusiast Review ID 1222, Created:20080805211117) View discussion on this review.
Purchased at:
Purchased for:22.50
Info on this bottle:standard bottle
Nose:see previous post
Taste:
Finish:[Description of the lingering taste impression]
Overall:As I only have a few bottles of this I don't drink this very often. After a re-visit tonight I would like to
add another review.
If there is a better Bourbon, for the money, available
please let me know.
i can not state how Great this Bourbon is. Why in the hell did they quit
making it ? If anyone knows where I can get some please let me know.

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Review from Mike (BourbonEnthusiast Review ID 971, Created:20080109132947)
Purchased at:Myrtle Beach, SC last bottle on the shelf
Purchased for:$25
Nose:Nuts, leather, rye, burnt caramel, and a bit of the wood. Wild Turkey straight the way through.
Taste:A nice rich and creamy sweetness that is corny, followed by a shower of spice and pepper.
Finish:Long and strong
Overall:Oh my darlin, oh my darlin, oh my darlin Clementine! You know don't you, that I was a cowboy in a former life? Yep, rode the range all day, had me a bottle of Wild Turkey in my saddlebags. I could 'bulldog' a bull buffalo, why I could even..........!

I like Wild Turkey Russel's Reserve 10 YO 101, wish they would bring it back.

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Review from Kendall (BourbonEnthusiast Review ID 949, Created:20071215154916)
Purchased at:A guarded secret.
Purchased for:22.50
Info on this bottle:Same as the picture above.
Proof Of this Bottle:101
Nose:Excellent, sweet, wood,leather
Taste:sweet,peppery, wood. Not as strong as the nose, but excellent.
Finish:excellent. moderate lenght, nice wamth
Overall:I just purchased this today. I purchased another bottle a few months ago but did
not open it due to it not being available. I will purchase every botle of this I can find. My first impression is this is as good a Van Winkle Lot B (my favorite), at 1/2
the price. This is IMO AN EXCELLENT MUST HAVE BOURBON.

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Review from Culligan24 (BourbonEnthusiast Review ID 945, Created:20071213123106)
Purchased at:Opperman's Cork & Ale
Purchased for:31.00
Nose:This Bourbon was heavy with toffee and vanilla. Overall a good nose.
Taste:A little rough at first for myself but it opened up to the carmel and toffee like tones.
Finish:Smooth finish I think the proof was juest right. It was not to high to cause that burn but was in balance with the subtle flavours.
Overall:This was a great Bourbon I still would prefer Rare breed over this one but it was great on the rocks or mixed.

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Review from spun_cookie (BourbonEnthusiast Review ID 934, Created:20071208203524, Updated:20071211123431)
Purchased at:Beverage House
Purchased for:$28
Proof Of this Bottle:90
Nose:Light molasses and soft alcohol. Light oak hints throughout.
Very sweet nose.

Taste:Light, sweet, light oak. Some light leather. Very smooth, but not as complex as the other Wild Turkeys.
Finish:
Overall:This is nice. For the price it is pretty good. There is a lingering alcohol taste throughout the finish.

I would take the 10 yr WL Weller over it, but I will drink this all the same

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Review from LogicalFrank (BourbonEnthusiast Review ID 795, Created:20070614152521) View discussion on this review.
Purchased at:Miska's on Belmont in Chicago
Purchased for:$35.00
Proof Of this Bottle:101
Nose:Apples and peach up front, fruity and bright w/ some more barrel-y notes in the background. Slightly pronounced alcohol character.
Taste:Sharp and peppery up front, wanes to a dark fruity complexity. Oak overtones become more pronounced as more is imbibed.
Finish:Long and spicy. Leaves a pleasant warmth on the back of the tongue.
Overall:You can see my notes on the new 90 proof version below. This is hands down a better bourbon but I'm not so sure it's better than the flagship 101. Definitely a world class pour no matter how you cut it but the inflated price kind of bugs me (my bottle was marked up from $22 to $35). Don't get me wrong, it is worth every bit of $35 but the fact that it once was so cheap is mind blowing.

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Review from LogicalFrank (BourbonEnthusiast Review ID 714, Created:20070208185207, Updated:20070209081935) View discussion on this review.
Purchased at:Sam's Wines in Chicago
Purchased for:$25
Info on this bottle:Standard
Proof Of this Bottle:90
Nose:Quite mild and oaky w/ some peach notes here and there.
Taste:Mild spice, leather, oak. Rather dry overall. I'm missing any caramel or fruity notes this might have.
Finish:Somewhat lingering. Mostly oak and leather.
Overall:Personally, I prefer the regular Wild Turkey 101 (and the Rye for that matter). This might be a bit smoother but it's not as complex so not as much fun to nose your way into. Certainly, I don't intend to pay more for this again any time soon. However, it does have it's merits and is very drinkable and pleasant bourbon.

I'm always gonna wonder if the 101 proof version isn't be the best thing on earth (never tried it personally). I could see something halfway between this and regular 101 being incredible.

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Review from Mike (BourbonEnthusiast Review ID 697, Created:20070128173646, Updated:20070130153555)
Purchased at:Sigman Bottle Shop, Conyers GA........Last Bottle
Purchased for:$25
Info on this bottle:WILD TURKEY RUSSEL'S RESERVE STRAIGHT KENTUCKY BOURBON WHISKEY 101 PROOF
Nose:Bourbon as she ought to smell! Rich in corn, oak, leather, tobacco, rye, vanilla, caramel, brown sugar, citrus, wild flowers. All things wonderful and bourbonly aromatic!
Taste:A nice corn sweetness that leads into a citrusy taste followed by a rye spiciness that is thick and rich. A slight alcohol burn that combines with the spice to stand you upright, make you salute, and break into the Star Spangled Banner. This is AMERICAN WHISKEY to the core!
Finish:WTRR 101 is a strong finisher that leaves no doubt as to its heritage. Stand away from mild mannered folk and children when you finish this now defunct bourbon, else you may knock them sprawling when you breathe.
Overall:I bemoan the loss of WTRR in its 101 incarnation. In my opinion, the 90 proof RR shouldn't be allowed in the same room with this baby. When all is said and done, this bourbon should never have been allowed to die. Twixt the expensive, refined bourbons (which I love, by the way) and the cheaper bourbons with less character, lies WTRR 101........or at least, DID lie. It stood on its own two feet and provided bourbon lovers with something elemental without being raw or coarse. It is (WAS) like the 'Blues' music, nothing too fancy, but it strikes straight at the heart of the matter........ what being a flawed human is all about.........and you ain't flawed, you ain't human! There is no better bourbon to drink while you have your soul stripped bare by the 'Blues'. WTRR 101, like the 'Blues', gives everything it has, nothing is held back. It is a dangerous bourbon because it drives into your depths and can reveal the ugly just as well as the beautiful. Bourbon is about living and life, about good and evil, about being human, about RIGHT NOW! WTRR is about as good an example of all that as there is (WAS). I am down to my last bit in my last bottle. I don't know yet how I will replace it. The only thing that comes close in my opinion is the Old Granddad 114, another dangerous bourbon!

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Review from Mike (BourbonEnthusiast Review ID 693, Created:20070124130756, Updated:20070124150342)
Purchased at:Sigman Bottle Shop, Conyers, GA
Purchased for:25.65
Proof Of this Bottle:90
Nose:A good nose that is not agressive but reveals vanilla, oak, leather, tobacco, oranges, rye and a smidge of wild flowers. With time in the glass, the rye steps forward a bit more.
Taste:Not the equal of the nose. In particular, the upfront taste is lacking in the desirable sweetness and creaminess I have come to expect from Wild Turkey products. At mid-palate the expected rye spiciness makes its appearance and gives this bourbon some respectability, without offering much balance.
Finish:Moderately long with the typical WT spice drifting down the gullet. Not a lot to make noise about.
Overall:I have not had the 90 proof RR in a while and boy, was I disappointed! I hope this is an errant bottle! I love so many WT products.........but this one I cannot recommend. Russel's Reserve has been emasculated! Bourbon lovers, take to the barricades!

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Review from mike stark (BourbonEnthusiast Review ID 690, Created:20070117221210)
Purchased at:bridges liquors
Purchased for:32
Nose:once again the best nose there is
Taste:if i wasn't so biased with Eagle Rare this would be the best there is.
Finish:just what good Bourbon is supposed to be.
Overall:buy a bottle and see for yourself. if you are not happy with this you are not a Bourbon drinker

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Review from Mike (BourbonEnthusiast Review ID 613, Created:20061022142452, Updated:20061023073200)
Purchased at:Sigman Bottle Shop, Conyers, GA
Purchased for:$24
Proof Of this Bottle:101
Nose:In order of appearance, the aromatic players are: rye, leather, vanilla, flowers and citrus ftuit, caramel, nuts, and corn. A nice complex nose that took several minutes to completely reveal itself.
Taste:A bit or corn sweetness, mixed with some fruit, followed by the charateristic Wild Turkey bite and spice. A robust taste that seems as American as apple pie. This is a no longer produced RR, unfortunately being replaced by a 90 proof version that is completely different. This is an assertive bourbon that says be up and about your business, therefore, I can't see a lazy man liking it. It demands your attention, and rewards you if you give it time.
Finish:A long lasting finish in character with its taste. The spice wins out in the end, as it almost always does with WT products.
Overall:Wild Turkey makes no mediocre bourbons. They make some very good ones and some great ones. I find this one to be right twixt the very good and the great. Why WT chose to discontinue this one in favor of a 90 proofer is a complete mystery to me as a bourbon drinker..............I don't think Mr. Russell made that decision. I think WT lovers better be stocking up on this if they can find it. When you consider price, quality, and a standout bourbon, the old RR is hard to beat in my opinion!!

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Review from JoeBourbon (BourbonEnthusiast Review ID 577, Created:20060822173025)
Purchased at:PALCB
Purchased for:23.00
Nose:Hardwood sawdust, leather, faint vanilla, faint caramel.
Taste:Slightly sweet on the front end. Moderately alcoholic (typical of WT products). Subtle fruitiness lies beneath wood...short lived. Complex middle palate which is hard to describe. Bold bourbon, not for the tea totaler.
Finish:Moderate length. Somewhat complex finish.
Overall:Great bourbon, more refined than standard WT-101. Worthy of Jimmy Russell's signature. Goes great with a Dominican cigar. Sadly, it is no longer produced as a 101 proof bourbon. Still a few bottles out there, Grab it if you see it.

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Review from bourbonv (BourbonEnthusiast Review ID 481, Created:20060426094852)
Purchased at:Bourbon's Bistro Bar
Purchased for:8.00
Info on this bottle:Standard Bottle
Proof Of this Bottle:90
Nose:Caramel and leather with oak and pepper spice.
Taste:Caramel apple and cinnamon spice with some oak wood.
Finish:Very clean and refreshing - Sweet caramel and oak that last a long time.
Overall:Very good neat anytime, or a in a manhattan.

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Review from mike stark (BourbonEnthusiast Review ID 350, Created:20060217084412)
Purchased at:bridges liquors, new albany, indiana
Purchased for:32.00
Nose:By far the best nose I have ever came across. Sweet cherries, warm vanilla and just a hint of smoke.
Taste:Gentile in the mouth, no burn or alcohol. One to let linger in your mouth and find what real bourbon tastes like.
Finish:Simply perfect. It doesn't get much better than this.

Overall:This is not for mixing folks. This is for good friends to sit around and enjoy. Add a good cigar and you have a perfect night of pleasure.

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Review from Mike (BourbonEnthusiast Review ID 148)
Purchased at:Sigman Bottle Shop, Conyers, GA
Purchased for:$25
Nose:Apple to the fore, carmel with nuts next, then a slight touch of vanilla, then.........on comes a wee whiff of rich cream, and just a shade of oak. Altogether a rich, smooth, nice, warming, satisfying nose that seduces you with subtleness.
Taste:Marvelous creamy carmel sweetness that coats the front of the mouth and proceeds on to the palate, where it echoes the same flavors as they slowly disperse and fade across the back of the mouth. The alcohol is there all along, but only hums, it never really sings.
Finish:The finish is not long, it is moderate............but it is so satisfying. All the balance is maintained throughout with Russel's Reserve.
Overall:My assesment is that Russel's Reserve would be appreciated by bourbon novices and by bourbon sophisticates, but for different reasons. For the novice it is not a fierce bourbon that challenges one with intensity. For an experienced drinker it builds slowly and then overtakes you rapidly as you realize that it is a beautiful bourbon, and a very impressive achievement from Wild Turkey! If you have not tried it, do so at your first opportunity. But........ don't rush it, give yourself time with this one, it is worth it!!

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