It’s funny how things work out. I’d intended the “12 Rickhouses of Turkey” to be a short series for the 2023 holiday season, but thanks to the unexpectedness of life it’s wrapping up in May. I must admit, though I’m happy to shift to new articles and reviews I’ll miss working on this series.
In considering my options for the final installment, I realized fairly quickly that it had to be Tyrone’s rickhouse A. First and foremost, it’s the oldest rickhouse Wild Turkey owns. Built in 1894, Tyrone A has seen three generations of Ripys followed by three generations of Russells. It’s where Eddie taught Bruce and Jimmy taught Eddie. It’s the pride of the property, and I don’t think anyone at Wild Turkey would tell you differently.
For today’s review I’ll be taking a look at a special Tyrone A Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel Bourbon, at least one that’s special to me, “Corner Barrel.” As stated in my recent Tyrone M post, I prefer to avoid reviewing private barrel selections I’m associated with; however, there are exceptions. Corner Barrel is one of those.
It was nearly two years ago this month … I was joined by a group of friends and fellow members of Russell’s Renegades to select a handful of Turkey barrels for Keg N Bottle. We gathered in Tyrone’s rickhouse A and Bruce Russell was there to guide us along (Eddie even stopped by). After a long line of exceptional Camp Nelson A barrels (we ended up picking three of those), Bruce walked us over to a lone barrel sitting in the corner of the rickhouse. Immediately upon tasting, each member of the selection team signed off on it. It was that good – the easiest barrel I’ve ever selected.
Fast forward a few months later and the bottles were at the distributor and soon to be en route to the retailer. I’m not one of those folks who need a sticker on every barrel selection, but this memorable Russell’s pick deserved one. We agreed on Corner Barrel as a name from the start, followed sometime afterwards by a suggestion to parody a certain country-themed restaurant chain. All said and done, I think the sticker turned out perfectly thanks to the talented Ricky Frame.
But stickers are one thing, bourbon is another. As much as I love the look of this bottle, I much prefer the taste. Which reminds me …
Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel Bourbon
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Proof: 110
Age: 8 years, 8 months
Misc.: “Corner Barrel,” selected by Russell’s Renegades for Keg N Bottle; barrel 22-2148, Tyrone A, 4th floor; distilled and bottled by the Wild Turkey Distilling Co., Lawrenceburg, KY
Tasted neat in a Glencairn after a few minutes rest …
Color: copper
Nose: (classic core Turkey) caramel, lightly toasted butter toffee, rickhouse funk, sweet charred oak, honey, nutmeg
Taste: (creamy mouthfeel) vanilla bean, apple-cinnamon, sweet oak, confectioners sugar, hints of nutmeg & citrus
Finish: medium-long w/ Nilla wafers, spiced apple, warm baking spice (cinnamon, nutmeg, etc.), orange peel, faint clove
Impression: It may not be the most complex or unique barrel of Wild Turkey ever bottled, but damn if Corner Barrel doesn’t provide a flawless core Turkey sipping experience. Signature notes like vanilla, caramel, oak, and baking spice shine at an optimal level. As Elmer T. Lee once remarked after trying an early batch of Rare Breed, “Pure Jimmy Russell.” Corner Barrel is without question Tyrone A at its finest and I’m sincerely grateful I was able to participate in its selection.
While each barrel of bourbon has its own flavor profile, having enjoyed rickhouse A selections dating back to 2014 it’s safe to say that TYA excels at imparting a classic Turkey profile. Corner Barrel is but one of many examples. If you enjoy Rare Breed or Wild Turkey 101, a Tyrone A Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel or Kentucky Spirit selection should be on your wishlist. And if you think about it, every Tyrone A single barrel is literally a bottle of history. For 130 years its hallowed floors have welcomed a heavenly host of angels sharing Kentucky’s finest, and it shows.
Wrapping up, this series has been a blast to pen, though I should stress it’s merely scratching the surface of what Wild Turkey has to offer. And it’s not just the rickhouses I didn’t cover this time – each and every season brings with it something new. If you’re a fan of top-quality whiskey, I encourage you to taste as many Wild Turkey single barrels as you can. Shoot for a wide variety of maturation locations and you’ll be rewarded with a level of diversity that few distilleries can touch. And to think, it’s all from Mother Nature. There’s no climate-controlled magic – no finishes or gimmicks – just honest bourbon made the way Jimmy likes it. I think that says it all.
dj
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