Russell's Reserve 10 Year Bourbon

This is a fantastic and reasonably priced bourbon that delivers everything you desire from a well-aged spirit. Created by the master distillers at Wild Turkey, this small-batch bourbon achieves a beautiful equilibrium between rich oak, deep caramel, and just the right amount of spice to maintain interest. At 90 proof, it's an easily drinkable spirit that still possesses considerable depth. For approximately $40, this bottle is a must-have for admirers of classic Kentucky bourbon. Aroma: Rich caramel and vanilla lead, followed by toasted oak, dark cherry, and a touch of baking spice. A bright citrus note is present, evoking an Old Fashioned in a glass, with subtle leather and cocoa notes completing the profile. Palate: Luxuriously buttery—thick, smooth, and full of flavor. Initial notes of dark fruit and warm cinnamon give way to oak and a hint of earthiness. A lingering citrus note provides the impression of a expertly mixed cocktail, with honeyed sweetness perfectly balancing all elements. Finish: Long and warming. The spice remains just long enough, gradually fading into caramelized sugar, seasoned oak, and a subtle dark chocolate note. It is rich without being overpowering, leaving a memorable impression that encourages another taste. This bourbon provides the sensation of sipping an Old Fashioned directly from the bottle—rich, buttery, and harmoniously balanced with adequate sweetness and spice.

I paid $43.99 for this bottle at the Uptown Total Wine in Albuquerque. It's 10 years old and 90 proof, as expected. Online sources suggest a mash bill of 75% corn, 13% rye, and 12% sprouted barley. It displays a new copper hue in the glass. AROMA: Dusty caramel, vanilla, creamed corn, buttered corn on the cob, cinnamon rolls fresh from the oven, coconut (coconut, really?), and very ripe bananas. Each time I smelled it, I discovered a new note, including one I've never encountered in a spirit before. MOUTHFEEL: Smooth and a little oily. TASTE: Cinnamon, butter, honey, brown sugar. FINISH: Medium – oak, with a touch of honey. SUMMARY: This bourbon is better than the notes above might suggest. The aroma is complex, but the taste is simpler, and the finish only offered two distinct notes. Nevertheless, it's still a very good bourbon, and I have no complaints. It's certainly worth the price, and possibly more. RATING: My personal rating system classifies this as 'Right Fine,' which is second from the top on my eight-tier scale (counting from the bottom, this is a 7). This corresponds to 4.375 stars, 87.5/100, or 8.75/10.

I believe this offering has seen a decline in quality over the past few years. This bottle, filled on April 24, 2024, is labeled LL/MD. While not quite the LL/ME from May, it's a significant improvement compared to recent years. This is the bottle that started my journey. Before this, I took a chance on it based on a recommendation from a small liquor and cigar store in Belle Meade, TN. It was my go-to from 2016 to 2019, but in 2020, 2021, and 2022, it faltered in my opinion. It began to recover in 2023 and has now returned to its former quality from nearly a decade ago. When it's at its best, I get notes of cherry, mahogany, leather chairs, aged books, and a hint of butterscotch. The finish has wet oak and is short, but satisfying. Bourbon from Kentucky is more to my preference and is, I feel, quite underestimated. However, I periodically check this product to assess its current state. I appreciate a mature expression of this brand, and sometimes I suspect it contains aged juice from 12-13 years prior. An excellent introductory bourbon and a superb option at 90 proof – my favorite at this alcohol percentage.

Laser code LL/ME Glass: Glencairn, rested for 15 minutes. Color: Deep amber. Aroma: Floral and fruity scents are most prominent. Palate: Baking spice and clove are present initially, with mild cinnamon and oak towards the end. Finish: Extended duration with moderate heat. Splash: The oak tannins become significantly more noticeable with the addition of a few drops of water. Overall: 9/10 - After locating a rare LL/ME near the suggested retail price, it was time to sample this expression again. The aroma is exceptional, and the finish is remarkably long for a spirit at 90 proof. The palate offers sufficient complexity for careful savoring. This is an excellent bourbon, especially at its original price point. Those LL/ME bottles can be found if one searches.

The sweetness hits first for me with this one. It's a pleasant sensation on the nose, giving me fresh berry notes. The palate is very mild and smooth, and I really enjoy the mouthfeel; it has a coating, viscous quality. Flavor-wise, I detect some woody and oaky notes, and the sweetness becomes less prominent, fading gently into the finish. This makes for a great everyday drinker.

A potent, Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey from Master Distiller Jimmy Russell and his son Eddie for the Wild Turkey Distillery in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, aged at least 10 years in American oak. It greets you with aromas of wood, grain, and pine resin; its bold and full character offers notes of oak, corn, and butterscotch, culminating in a long, warming finish by the campfire. April 2016 / August 2022