Outside of rare lucky finds or occasional limited editions, Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel Bourbon is arguably the best Wild Turkey expression on any retail shelf here in the year 2017. Since each bottle comes from a single barrel (and there are well over 100+ bottles per barrel) there will be variance in profile. This variance should be minimal, however, as Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel has proven to be quite consistent in the last several years.

But profile variance isn’t always a bad thing. In fact, it can often be a great thing. From core notes “cranked to 11,” to subtle background notes gracefully brought forward – or – maybe just a crazy uniqueness that’s hard to explain … that’s the beauty of a single barrel. It’s the essence of what makes private barrel selection programs, like the ones offered by Wild Turkey for Russell’s Reserve and Kentucky Spirit, so popular. It’s the chance of finding THAT honey barrel.

Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel Bourbon (barrel #253, rickhouse H, floor 5) – selected by Binny’s Beverage Depot, Chicago, IL – 110 proof, non-chill filtered KSBW – no age stated (rumored at least 8 years) – distilled and bottled by the Wild Turkey Distilling Co., Lawrenceburg, KY

Tasted neat in a Glencairn after a few minutes rest …

Color: rosy copper

Nose: thick vanilla, toffee, brown sugar, orange, baking spice, rich oak, ripe cherries, hints of mixed nuts

Taste: (light, creamy mouthfeel) fruity vanilla, ripe cherry, caramel, plum, blood orange, musty oak, baking spice

Finish: long & satisfyingly warm – cherry-vanilla, sweet oak, slowly diminishing spice

Overall: Yum! This is my first “fruity” Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel Bourbon and I’m loving it. There’s still that big vanilla up front, which is typical of the product line, but the fruit! Toucan Sam would almost certainly approve of this selection. And it’s not just me that finds fruit in this one. As I was doing my research for this review, I visited Binny’s website to get some product information and how did they sum up this selection? You guessed it! Fruit.

This is a great example of barrel variance making for a unique and arguably improved whiskey. So many folks are out there looking for old Wild Turkey notes in Russell’s Reserve honey barrels (I’m guilty myself). Maybe that’s looking at this whole thing backwards? Perhaps the real beauty of Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel is that it’s its own thing. Searching for dusty Turkey (while often worth it) can be fatiguing. So step away from Facebook. Stop driving around your three or four adjacent counties or crossing state lines to visit shady ABC stores. Just go to your local and grab a Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel. And if you’re lucky enough to have a local retailer offering private selections … even better! Like Forrest Gump said, you never know what you’ll get.

Rating:  4/5 🦃