Russell's Reserve 10 Years Review

Country: USA

Brand: Russell's Reserve Small Batch

Type: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey 

Age: 10 Years

ABV: 45 %

Sample Provided By: Derek, USA. Thanks!  

Date: 17/09/2013

Colour: Deep Amber with Orange tones

Nose: Sweet, quite Fruity and Spicy with Orange Peel, Peach, Vanilla, Caramel, Cinnamon and Cardamom. I suspect a high Rye content in the Mash Bill. I also find Acetone, Butter, Brown Sugar and traces of Peanut Butter and Mint. Some Alcohol is present as well. All in all a solid Bourbon Nose.

Palate: Bitter-Sweet, Spicy, Woody and Waxy with Sweet Corn, Rye, Saw Dust, Pepper, Cardamom, Almonds, Caramel and Orange Peel.

Finish: Bitter-Sweet and Spicy with Oak, Caramel, Sweet Grain, Raisins, Menthol, Orange-Peel, Cinnamon, Pepper and Cardamom.

With a bit of Water the Nose gets Sweeter while the Spices and Acetone retreat. Instead I find Buttered Toast and Honey and some Apricot. The Alcohol is toned down. I would advise you to Nose the Russell's Reserve both with - and without some Water. Palate and Finish however get a bit Watery. Better sip it neat or (preferably) on the Rocks.

Rating: 81.5

Nose: 21 - Taste: 20  Finish: 20  - Overall: 20.5 

Derek's Bottle that produced the Sample!

General Remarks: Russell's Reserve is distilled at - and bottled by Austin Nichols Distilling Company at Lawrenceburg Kentucky, the makers of Wild Turkey. It matures in deeply Charred American White Oak barrels and is stored in the centre part of the rick house. The barrels eventually used for Russell's Reserve are hand picked. Russell's Reserve was created by - and named after Jimmy Russell, master distiller at Wild Turkey and his son and associate distiller Eddie Russell. Today, Austin Nichols is owned by the Italian Campari Group. Russell's Reserve 10 Years sells at between 30 and 35 US Dollars.

Drinking Experience Neat: Okay/Good

Conclusion: I had expected more from this Bourbon after a promising and solid Nose. Maybe 10 years in the barrel was a bit too much. Bitter Oak and Wood Spice are a tad too dominant on the Palate and in the Finish. It's not too expensive though and certainly okay on the Rocks. But I would not consider the Russell's Reserve 10 years as my day-to-day sipping Bourbon.

Jan van den Ende                                                         September 2013

Jimmy Russell and his Creation!