Russell’s Reserve is a super-premium product line of Wild Turkey of which there are four core whiskey expressions: RR 6 Year Old Rye, RR Single Barrel Rye, RR 10 Year Old Bourbon, and RR Single Barrel Bourbon.  Of those four, Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel Rye is arguably the most difficult to find (at least at present).  While certainly not rare, its production and distribution is somewhat limited in comparison to the other three Russell’s Reserve expressions.  Even more difficult to find are private selections of the single barrel rye.  There are some out there, just not near as many as the single barrel bourbon.

Thanks to a generous associate, I now have the opportunity to sample a private selection Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel Rye – this one from the Loch & Key Whisk(e)y Society of Westborough, Massachusetts.  While I’m not entirely familiar with the society itself, I’ve heard some fantastic things about their barrel selections.  I’m excited to see if there will be any notable profile variances from standard retail Russell’s Reserve Rye bottles.  Of course, all single barrel whiskeys are different, so variance comes with the territory – but – when sipping private selections, particularly from a group of seasoned whiskey enthusiasts, one expects that “little bit of special.”  So let’s see how this one fares …

Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel Rye (barrel #40, rickhouse E, floor 2) – Loch & Key private selection – 104 proof, non-chill filtered Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey – no age stated – distilled and bottled by the Wild Turkey Distilling Co., Lawrenceburg, KY

Tasted neat in a Glencairn after a few minutes rest …

Color:  rich amber

Nose:  (sweet & warm) vanilla frosting, golden delicious apples, light & sweet oak, herbal tea, ripe zesty citrus, baked goods, pepper, hints of mint

Taste:  vanilla candy, lemon-lime soda, herbal tea with honey, sticky sweet oak, pepper, baking spice, waves of hot ginger, faint citrus zest

Finish:  pleasantly long – warm “peppery” spice, vanilla cookies, sweet oak, diminishing herbal notes

Overall:  As expected, quite delicious – yet – not entirely unique for a private selection.  For the most, this Loch & Key Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel Rye is similar in quality to the other Russell’s Single Barrel Rye bottles I’ve tried.  The profile does, however, have some subtle differences worth mentioning.  For example, I’m not getting any dill whatsoever.  Truth be told, dill isn’t a typical Wild Turkey rye note, but I have noticed hints of it in one other Russell’s Single Barrel Rye.  The nose has a sweet and warm “bourbon in a bakery” quality to it.  And, there is certainly less mint in this private selection than I’ve noticed with other Wild Turkey rye expressions (in general).  Stealing the spotlight from the usual mint, is a nice hot ginger on the palate.  But these are only subtleties.

Above all and in closing, the core Wild Turkey rye notes really shine through in beautiful brilliance with this Russell’s Rye – vanilla, herbal tea with honey, sweet oak, citrus and spice.  Loch & Key picked a very nice “on-profile” barrel for sure and I’m very thankful for the pour!

Rating:  4/5 🦃