Russell's Reserve 13 Year Bourbon (2021 Release)

Neat. Sample. Eager to try this sample. The buzz around this bottle is absurd. It sells for more on the secondary market than a certain other high-end release, which makes no sense. That said, I get to enjoy this sample thanks to generous whiskey companions. I won't be able to get this myself without considerable luck, regardless of my opinion. On the nose, the wood character suggests an age closer to 15 years, honestly. It's deep and musty. This definitely comes across as a higher proof, younger relative compared to another specific release. Deep cherry, a quick hit of rye spice. Lemon zest. Cinnamon and clove. Maple syrup. It's very pleasing. The cherry is the most prominent element on the nose. Very thick, syrupy texture even before tasting. Immediate, powerful, and intense flavors upon tasting. Cinnamon and sugar mix, a touch of chocolate. Clove again. The cherry note at mid-palate is perfect. It's a dark cherry, and it's incredibly juicy and rich. The wood character accompanies it and takes over by the finish. The finish is a combination of wood, pepper, and rye with an underlying sweetness from the cherry. I'm also detecting significant orange notes on subsequent sips. Damn it, I will never obtain a bottle of this. It's excessively good, and the hype will only intensify. I enjoy this more than I anticipated. The harmony of wood, sweetness, fruit, and spice is nearly flawless. One of the finest products from this distillery I've experienced.

The aroma begins with a blend of aged leather-bound books, cream cheese frosting, and orange zest, followed by a sweet chocolate torte dusted with powdered sugar and toasted walnuts, then cinnamon-spiced apple streusel and baked cherry pie, transitioning to spearmint, cloves, and polished antique furniture with a strong ethanol burn. The taste has a medium texture, starting with a mix of aged leather-bound books, cream cheese frosting, and orange zest, then a spicy mocha and almond croissant, followed by cinnamon-spiced apple streusel and baked cherry pie, transitioning to spearmint, cloves, and a slightly bitter oak spice with a strong ethanol burn. The finish is of medium length, featuring red hot candy, sautéed caramel apples, cloves, spearmint, aged leather-bound books, and polished mahogany. This manages to incorporate traditional bourbon characteristics with aged oak and a pronounced high rye spice that is well-balanced, though it leans towards a mild bitter oak and a higher spice level than I prefer. It remains an incredible bourbon that I'd gladly drink anytime and was a great value at $70, but unfortunately, resellers have bought them all up and are pricing them at $600+ today. Thankfully, a friend was generous enough to provide me with a sample to try this one, as I have no intention of supporting resellers anytime soon.

The aroma is captivating with red fruit, sweet caramel, and oak. Unlike many from that distillery, it has minimal funk, which is missed, but after 13 years aging, the mellowing is impressive. It's lively and delicious. The taste features caramel and vanilla, reminiscent of candy. Layers of ripe red apple and a nutty character are present. Some spice on the finish provides excellent balance. Truly delightful. The finish is oaky and rich with a steady warmth, leaving a pleasant taffy apple aftertaste. Overall, I generally favor products from that distillery. I sample and acquire every Master's Keep, collect special Russell's releases, and I'm drawn to their single barrel selections. My go-to drinks are Rare Breed and 101. However, this might be the finest bourbon they've produced in quite some time. It lacks the characteristic funkiness of the 17 yr. BiB, and it doesn't possess the refined finish of WTMK Revival. It's not as spicy as Russell's 2002 edition. What it does offer are abundant waves of delicious fruit, caramel, vanilla, and oak. At the $69.99 price point (if obtainable at that cost), this bottle is a success! It's like the quality of WTMK without the premium for the fancy packaging.

The aroma is certainly alluring. Powerful and rich scents of red orchard fruits, leather, pipe tobacco, oak, allspice, pepper, and significant char are present, with minimal ethanol. The palate is big and bold, featuring baking spices (nutmeg, clove), cherry, vanilla, burnt sugars, cocoa powder, and hazelnut. An undefined citrus note (perhaps blood orange?) lingers underneath, perfectly complementing the flavors, which assert themselves with authority. The finish is extremely long with charcoal, maple, leather, cinnamon, and smooth, refined oak. It has plenty of spice, but less so than many Russell's Reserve single barrels I've sampled. The mouthfeel is medium-bodied but the oiliest I've ever experienced, which masterfully delivers the finish's diverse elements to every taste bud. What's truly impressive here is the balance: not overly sweet, not too tannic, not too fruity, but just right. This is actually the first Russell's Reserve expression I've genuinely enjoyed, and it's a standout. I'm not sure what sets it apart from the 10-year versions besides three additional years, but whatever they did, it's masterful. At a $70 retail price, it's not just a recommended purchase; it's a must-buy. A true delight.

This is the best Wild Turkey product I have ever tasted. The aroma presents grilled orange with a sprinkle of pepper, oiled leather, and abundant sweet charred oak. It's deep and easy to appreciate without harsh ethanol fumes. I anticipate that with further time and pours, it will reveal numerous complex notes. The palate is intensely flavorful, with buttery oak enveloping caramel apple, chocolate orange, and toasted salted nuts. It's powerful yet refined. Exploring this bottle further will undoubtedly uncover more nuances. The finish is eternally butterscotch and leather, with lingering notes of barrel char and toasted oak. There's also a subtle sensation of an old, dusty attic converted into an office throughout the experience. A magnificent bourbon in every aspect, unfortunately now unattainable. At its standard price, it offers exceptional value. Compared to Cowboy, this presents a different approach: Cowboy is a chainsaw, while this is a scalpel. Both are supremely elite bourbons in my opinion.....95/100......thanks to the individual who provided the wonderful sample.

NOSE: Notes of leather, dried dark fruit, oak, cocoa, hazelnuts, cinnamon, caramel icing, vanilla taffy, and a hint of citrus. A warm and inviting aroma that is nuanced and complex, striking a balance between sweet and rustic. It's an aroma I want to keep experiencing. PALATE: Oak, spice, cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, anise, cocoa, hazelnuts, caramel, and vanilla, with subtle hints of banana and citrus. This offering is somewhat different from what is typically expected from Wild Turkey. The Russell's Reserve 13 Years, surprisingly, has a slightly fruity character that complements the darker, spicier notes well. FINISH: Medium-long, with oak, spice, dark sweets, and leather leading to a dusty cocoa and creamsicle conclusion.