Russell's Reserve Single Rickhouse Camp Nelson C

I'm going to be completely honest here, and maybe I shouldn't be. This bourbon is absolutely incredible. It surpasses both batch 1 and batch 2 of RR13, and might even be better than the 1998, 2002, and likely better than the 2003. It's probably the 3rd, or possibly even the 2nd best Russell's product ever created. If Eddie Russell had put a 2004 on this label and packaged it for collectors, the secondary market price would be over $800, and it would be hailed as bourbon of the year by most publications. For those who acquired Russell's 13 batch 1 for more than retail and are complaining about this one costing under $400, I'm holding back my true feelings about your immature judgment. If this isn't in your top 3 Russell's products you've tried, you either don't appreciate Russell's or Wild Turkey. Honestly, I should keep quiet because its current secondary market value is somewhat reasonable. This should easily fetch double the secondary price of Russell's 13 batch 1. It's truly phenomenal. It's so good that I'm trading my extra Old Fitz 19 to get more of the single rick, because it's superior. The only thing better this year is the Parker's double-barreled. But don't listen to me; stay away from the single rick; it's terrible.

Aroma: Caramel, oak, vanilla, chocolate, roasted peanuts, pencil shavings, red berries, orange. Body: Medium to full, with a pleasant, slowly developing warmth. Palate: Sweetness is the first sensation. Citrus notes are present. I can detect some caramel and smoke if I concentrate. A touch of spice. Finish: Medium length with more caramel and spice. Note: Drank neat from a glen cairn. It's light and fruity, with a nutty character. The aroma is particularly captivating, but the palate doesn't quite live up to it for me. The citrus notes are pleasant. The finish is fairly long and sweet, but it feels like it's lacking some depth; darker notes are absent for me. I was anticipating an extraordinary experience and received a modest one. Good, but not great.

Special tasting. The nose is sweet and rich. A sweet and rich dessert. All the warm feelings! It coats the tongue nicely. It goes down smoothly. This bourbon is likely 10 to 12 years old. This batch was only 70 barrels. If you have the chance to purchase this, do it. Not just because it tastes amazing, but also because this whiskey comes from a rickhouse that was demolished. I'm disappointed it's not available for sale in my state.

The nose is somewhat light, with notes of caramel and nuts. The palate has sweet anise, caramel, and nutty flavors, constantly evolving. It features chocolate, some dark fruits, and tannins on the finish, which is lengthy with spearmint, more chocolate-covered nuts, and lingers indefinitely. It's excellent. Compared to the 13-year-old, the older one has a more complex nose and a stronger bite. This one is sweeter and mintier, but less complex.

Excellent aroma, suggesting a full-bodied proof. The taste is vanilla with a moderate to light spice, less heat than expected for the proof. It's superior to Russell 13, but not as smooth as Russell 10 Single Barrel. It would be enjoyable at a restaurant, but I wouldn't pay more than $10 over the suggested retail price. Still a solid pour with rich vanilla bean.

Aroma: vanilla, caramel, nutty, citrus, black pepper, smoky Taste: cherry and spice lead, with cinnamon and clove mingling with oak Finish: the palate isn't sweet, but sweetness reappears in the finish, with vanilla and smoke A very satisfying pour. 87/100