A Conversation with the Russells

[bourbonv]

Yesterday at the Maker's Mark Bar I was able to talk to Jimmy and Eddy Russell at some length. I asked them about the reduction of proof on Russell's Reserve and neither of them were "happy" about it, but understood why it happened. They say that the 101 proof was keeping the product out of the up scale bars and restraunts in New York and Boston and other cities of the north (Yes Linn, you can balme it on the Yankees if you want). They said that those bars were using the 80 proof Wild Turkey, but would not buy any bourbon over 100 proof for the bar.

I tasted both versions side by side yesterday and there is a difference with the newer version being sweeter without the spicy notes found in the older version. I prefer the old version but can see why some may prefer the new.

They also said that the Wild Turkey 101 in the states is still 8 year old whiskey, but they took the age statement off because of the grey market in Japan. They need to be able to quickly tell the difference between bottles made for the Japanese market and those intended for the U. S. market. This came apparent after customs seized a freighter with several cargo containers full of American Wild Turkey in Savanah.

These are just a couple of the things I was told last night. Jimmy has been in the industry for 51 years now and his son for 25. They are a wealth of knowledge and true American treasures.

Mike Veach

[bunghole]

Yesterday at the Maker's Mark Bar I was able to talk to Jimmy and Eddy Russell at some length. I asked them about the reduction of proof on Russell's Reserve and neither of them were "happy" about it, but understood why it happened. They say that the 101 proof was keeping the product out of the up scale bars and restraunts in New York and Boston and other cities of the north (Yes Linn, you can balme it on the Yankees if you want). They said that those bars were using the 80 proof Wild Turkey, but would not buy any bourbon over 100 proof for the bar.

Mike Veach

Thanks for the intel, Mike! Yankees undermining our bourbon heritage?!

ACK!! **&^%$#!@#!!!!! YANKEES!!!



ima

[White Lightning]

thanks for en-"Lightening" me / us

[tlsmothers]

Argggg. I preach the praises of high proof bourbon all the time here in the City. Guess I should be shouting it from the rooftops. When I see 80 proof WT behind the bar, I just don't take the place seriously.

I'm stockpiling the Russell's like mad. Only about 10 cases of it left here last I heard. I've been buying a case at a time as budget allows. New version hasn't been released to NY, yet.