Russell's Reserve 10-year-old / 45% / 0.75l

Russell's Reserve Bourbon debuted in 1999 to celebrate the 45th anniversary of Wild Turkey Distillery master distiller Jimmy Russell.

Jimmy started at Wild Turkey in 1954, and is now Master Distiller Emeritus, a living bourbon legend. His son, Eddie, who started at Wild Turkey in 1981, is now the master distiller. Together, father and son select the barrels for each release of Russell's Reserve, always from the middle floors of the maturing warehouses, where conditions are most conducive to maturation. Wild Turkey's formula lists 75% corn, 13% rye, and 12% malted barley, and the spirits are aged in barrels with the highest, fourth-degree of roasting.

Nose : lots of vanilla, toffee, marzipan, caramel, buttered toast, walnuts, cinnamon, a hint of mint, charred oak and a fleeting trace of sulfur.

Palate : classic bourbon, toffee, vanilla, caramel, toasted rye bread, cinnamon, cloves, honey-roasted nuts and a bit of oak.

Finish: quite long, with a distinct note of nuttiness, toffee, cinnamon, mint and oak.