Russell's Reserve Single Barrel Bourbon

DISTILLER-SCORE SHOWDOWN: WHISKIES RATED 95 POINTS BY DISTILLER ELIJAH CRAIG BARREL PROOF B520 RUSSELL’S RESERVE SINGLE BARREL BOURBON JOHNNIE WALKER GREEN LABEL 15 YEAR Previously, I went through six 97- or 96-point whiskies in my collection. For this Showdown, I’m focusing on the 95-point benchmark, of which I have three (I thought I had four; my Collection list indicated that I still had the Maker’s Mark Wood Finishing Series 2021 FAE-01, but apparently I’d forgotten to mark it as consumed). In this current group, there are two bourbons and one blended malt whisky. The different types of whisk(e)y that can make up various Showdowns of this nature bring up what I consider a crucial question: how do identical high scores compare to each other, regardless of type? ELIJAH CRAIG BARREL PROOF B520 It has a clear mahogany color; the darkest of the three (Pantone 160). The rich and inviting aroma offers classic bourbon notes of brown sugar, coconut, vanilla, oak, and chocolate-covered cherries, a touch of vegetal cilantro, and cool spearmint. Surprisingly (considering the 127.2 proof), there is no alcohol burn on the nose. The B520 is effusive on the palate, coating the entire mouth with nice viscosity. The high proof does make an appearance on the back end, and while this was anticipated from the very start, it comes across as lighter than it is; very well-integrated. The finish is long, with some char, vanilla, and candied marasca cherries. Simply put: ECBP B520 is very good. Current releases today can be found for $80-90—if you can find them. This bourbon can hold its own against any other ECBP (I’ve got to have a Showdown between the B517, which was Whisky Advocate’s Whisky of the Year in 2017, as well as the current C923). Would I buy it again? Yes—without question. I believe ECBP in general to be one of the best values in bourbon. I make an effort to buy each triannual release, and I have many of them going back five or six years. 127.2 proof. 12-year age statement. RUSSELL’S RESERVE SINGLE BARREL BOURBON It has a deep coppered amber color (Pantone 152). The aroma shows coconut, like a Mounds candy bar, transitioning to apples, some caramel, sawdust, pumpkin pie, vanilla, and a cooling mint presence. It has a wonderful palate with leather and pipe tobacco elements. Some oaky char with vanilla and a pleasant rye spiciness on the finish. The alcohol is balanced, and the effect is somewhere between the Kentucky Hug and a “Bardstown Kiss” (though WT is actually closer to Lawrenceburg), though it doesn’t feel 17 proof points below the ECBP B520 (even though it is). Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel can be found for around $65. Would I buy it again? Yes. This is a bourbon that I always keep on hand, and I consider it an even better value than the ECBP. 110 proof. NAS. JOHNNIE WALKER GREEN LABEL 15 YEAR It is the lightest in color of the three, with a golden amber akin to Pantone 143. The fruity nose shows apples, gentle smoky peat, yeast rolls, and a little orange zest. The palate is light in terms of mouthfeel, yet the same flavors are noticeable. The finish begins with some white pepper, then the yeast rolls make a second appearance, and finally the gentle smoke, which is very long—the longest of the three. I first purchased this whisky based on several recommendations. Frankly, I didn’t much care for it initially, and it sat for some time. But the more I try it, the more I like it. I would love to have this at cask strength, and while I don’t see anything like that on their website, I do see some special editions online in the $3,000 range, but that won’t happen. JW15 can be purchased (when you can find it) for around $65. Would I buy it again? Yes. 43% ABV. 15-year age statement. Coloring added (E150a). ON RATINGS (BOILERPLATE) What’s in a rating? Goodness or beauty or merit are each in the eye of the beholder—to an extent. No scoring system or methodology is perfect; however, many if not most can be improved. Further, for either system: what’s the rationale and methodology? And in either system, how are the rankings comprised? There are numerous ways it could be done: 33% for nose, 33% for palate, 33% for finish; or adding something for relative value, etc. While this may sound constricting, it’s superior to the chaos of allowing anyone to do it however they want. The benefit of imposing some structure is that while some will ignore it, others would embrace it, which would facilitate better apples-to-apples comparisons. This isn’t a pedantic point. CONCLUSION For this Showdown, my expectation was that the ECBP B520 would overshadow the other two, both in its proof and its intensity. But that wasn’t the case. Not only did the Russell’s Reserve easily stand up to it, but the Johnnie Walker 15 did as well—at a much lower proof. I was frankly shocked. Each of these whiskies occupy different spaces in terms of style and type. The ECBP B520 is “Hazmat level” in terms of proof, with commensurate flavor intensity; the Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel is higher-proofed than typical bourbon, and it’s also a single-barrel offering, so it can experience variation. In my experience over the years, there’s a consistent flavor profile, with an appreciated richness. And the JW15 is of course a blended Scotch whisky. I still can’t get over just how well the JW15 stood up to the other three; it definitely punches above its weight. Further, all three are extremely good values. I ranked the ECBP B520 a quarter point higher than the other two, but not by much. It’s a fuller, richer experience, and everything is integrated with the much higher proof. But that doesn’t mean it’s the “winner”; the different styles are evident, and each is a worthy exemplar of their respective styles. I recently wrote a Showdown review that included Bowmore 18, and I wrote “in my collection, there’s little reason for me to think ‘Hmm, I think I’ll have that Bowmore 18 tonight’ given so many other choices.” And that is a key differentiator, and one I should use along with the “Would I buy it again” criteria. For each of these whiskies, I could ask that question, and there would be many times I’d answer in the affirmative, depending on my mood. All three are very good, and also different. All spirits tasted neat in a Glencairn glass. (N.B.: This review in its entirety is posted for each of the whiskies that are tasted, for the purpose of comparison and context; the reviews are in the same order that the whiskies are listed in at the top.)

I've had this bourbon several times since my last review on 12/23/23, prompting me to write again. While I've been focusing more on wine recently, tonight, after reviewing an Argentine Chardonnay and contemplating wine's origins, minerals, and styles, I felt the need for comfort among those who view oak—particularly American Oak with a #4 Alligator Char—not as undesirable but as a familiar, comforting scent, much like home cooking. Yes, oak. Specifically, charred American Oak, bringing forth desirable compounds like lactones, tannins, furfurals, lignins, and vanillins. And alcohol, or "ethanol," which is simply a descriptor. A pleasant scent is still pleasant regardless of how it's named. In the wine community, high alcohol content is often criticized as "over-extracted" or "Parkerized" or even "California" style. However, in the bourbon world, high alcohol is referred to with terms like "Kentucky Hugs" and "Bardstown Kisses," and sometimes even extreme heat, which is celebrated. As is widely known, Russell's Reserve is a Wild Turkey product. The name "Wild Turkey" itself evokes a sense of American tradition, with the turkey being a symbol chosen by Ben Franklin, even if its culinary use became more popular than its national emblem status. The word "wild" also brings to mind numerous musicians and cultural icons. "Wild Turkey:" the name alone is appealing. This bourbon exhibits typical characteristics: caramel, vanilla, chocolate-covered cherries, rye spice, and a dusty note common in Wild Turkey products. It's enjoyable and I will purchase it again. 4.25+

I discovered this gem on sale at a liquor store in Cleveland, and it served as an excellent introduction to the world of RR SiB. Aroma: Just for my own interest, I smelled it directly from the bottle without letting it rest and immediately detected a strong astringent oak with little else. After resting in a glencairn for 10 minutes, it opened up nicely. I now get a pronounced nuttiness, which I typically associate with Jim Beam products. Taste: Incredibly smooth and buttery, though not as oily in mouthfeel as I might expect from a 110 proof spirit. The nuttiness from the aroma carries through strongly, along with the general oakiness you anticipate from any bourbon. Quite light overall, but with nice depth from the peanut butter notes throughout. Hints of smooth sweet tea on the finish, very refreshing on this warm summer evening. Final thoughts: I wish I knew the specific warehouse this bottle originated from; there's likely a way to find out, but I'm too lazy to investigate at the moment. I'm genuinely pleased with this particular SiB, and at $65, I consider it good value. It's difficult to go wrong with any Wild Turkey product in my opinion, and this is no exception.

An easily found, individual barrel bourbon that doesn't cost over $99? Does another bottle deserve a permanent spot on my shelf? Currently, only a specific brand's single barrel bourbon holds that position. Let's find out how good this really is... Seriously, is this 110 proof? The scent is so gentle and free of alcohol sting. You truly have to inhale deeply to detect it. The aroma is dominated by vanilla sugar cookie, tannic oak, and spicy cinnamon. There's a touch of dryness, with some leather adding a bit of edge. The taste begins with smooth vanilla and toffee, quickly shifting to cinnamon and a warming sensation. Quite potent, tannic charred oak joins in mid-palate, bringing a slight tingle and caramelized sugar notes. The conclusion is extended and dry. Oak, leather, and baking spices linger, completing the experience. This individual barrel is distinctly dry and spicy. I tend to prefer the typical sweet bourbon notes, so while it's not my top pick, I can recognize its complexity and uniqueness. It's definitely worth the suggested retail price, in my opinion.

Neat: Smell: vanilla, warm baking spices, sugar, caramel, dill. Taste: caramel, oak, vanilla, rich and full. With ice: Smell: dill & herbs emerge, sugar, vanilla, caramel. Taste: sweet, caramel, powdered sugar, vanilla, oak, still rich and full. This is an excellent bourbon. All my preferred elements are present. The added proof is exactly what the standard ten-year expression needed. The key question for me is: is it notably different and superior to another brand's product, which comes from the same distillery? I really like that other brand, and it's considerably cheaper than this one. I'll need to compare them directly to be sure.

Butterscotch, candied apple, pumpkin pie, nutmeg, and light oak. Chocolate-covered cherries emerge on the palate. Warm spices on the finish, with some sweet espresso notes.