Russell's Reserve 15 Year Bourbon (2024 Release)

Nose: This aroma is incredibly complex and dynamic. Initially, notes of oak, leather, and chocolate emerge. With aeration, sweeter, fruity notes like cherry, ripe red apple, and fruit compote come to the forefront. It requires careful study; the nose becomes sweeter and fruitier over time. Palate: The chewy viscosity is immediately striking, luxuriously coating the mouth. A burst of cherry cough drop is followed by musty leather and tobacco, with some chocolate present. It approaches the edge of being over-oaked without crossing it. Then, a sweetness like red crisp apples in apple pie appears, not the tart Granny Smith, but the sweet Washington state variety. It concludes on this note. Finish: A long, oaky, apple pie finish with hints of nutmeg. It persists until the next sip. Truly excellent. Overall: Among the best I've ever had, offering remarkable complexity and variation with each sip. I consider it a Pappy Killer, preferring its complexity, added spice, and superb balance over it. This elevates RR13 batch 1 by adding more oak without sacrificing fruit. While RR13 was a fruit/caramel explosion, this is a fruit/chocolate/oak grenade! I dislike the price but adore the spirit.

A triumph of American distilling, likely the best bourbon I've ever sampled. The 2024 edition, bottled just above proof, offers a thrilling array of perfectly balanced, intricate layers. The aroma reveals notes of cigar box, leather, orange, caramel, and freshly baked brown sugar. The flavor introduces English toffee, cinnamon spice, mature oak, and dark honey maple. Be aware that my initial taste was an overwhelming sensory explosion, but each subsequent sip was more delightful as my palate adjusted to the liquid gold. The finish was lengthy, rich, and satisfyingly chewy, with a final hint of chocolate, vanilla, and cherry cola. Full disclosure, this was the most expensive bottle of spirits I have ever bought, costing many times the unrealistic $250 MSRP. I purchased it on a whim, justifying it as a Father's Day present. As I conclude this summary and savor the final drop, it was money well spent. Cheers, whiskey enthusiasts.

Exceptional, rich, dense, and potent, featuring abundant notes of Mexican hot chocolate, caramel, pecan pie, maple syrup, apricots, strawberries, mocha, and classic dusty Wild Turkey characteristics. Nose: Caramel, Ginger, Bananas Foster, Rum Raisins, Mexican Hot Chocolate, Apricots, Cinnamon, Licorice, Star Anise, Maple Syrup, Pecan Pie, Blueberries Palate: Mexican Hot Chocolate, Maple Syrup, Caramel, Raisins, Dates, Figs, Walnuts, Almond Joy, Strawberries, Mocha, Diesel, Charred Oak, Leather, Pecans Finish: Caramel, Burnt Honey, Demerara Syrup, Chocolate Covered Bacon, Chili Peppers, Apricots, Strawberries, Peaches, Morello Cherries, Cinnamon, Dusty Libraries, Pecan Pie

Rich caramel, sweet oak extract, maple syrup, mild black pepper, bread pudding, crème brûlée, nutmeg, clove, and moderate ethanol. I found the price at the bar to be quite reasonable compared to the cost of BTAC and other hard-to-find items. This is excellent, but I would never pay over $300 for it. Based on this single tasting, I believe some of the best Elijah Craig Barrel Proof releases approach this quality for a significantly lower price. Its viscosity and sweetness are more akin to ECBP than a standard Russell's Reserve pick.

Nose: Faint notes of grape, pear, peanut brittle, caramel, and double-barreled oak with a deep char, though not smoky. Palate: A soft vanilla coats the tip of the tongue, accompanied by abundant cinnamon and baking spice that blend with the vanilla. A nutty undertone lingers. The ethanol is quite pronounced, surprisingly more so as it opens up. Finish: Primarily oily, with cinnamon and baking spice. A significant warmth travels down, making it feel hotter than its proof.

Sampled at a Bar. NEAT AROMA - Robust, Strong Notes of Caramel, Honey, and Dark Brown Sugar. Subtle, Sweet Oak and Dark Fruits TASTE - All the aromas are present on the palate, plus more! The texture is thick and viscous, coating the mouth. This is an exceptionally well-balanced bourbon. FINISH - Extended. SHOULD I BUY? - If I encountered this at retail, I would seriously consider purchasing it. However, given its already elevated price, I won't pay more than $30 above retail.