RUSSELL’S RESERVE® ANNOUNCES THE RETURN OF ITS HIGHLY AWARDED 13-YEAR-OLD BOURBON
Proudly Awarded a Double Gold Medal from the Esteemed 2023 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, This Coveted Release Will Be Available in a Limited Run from June 2023
LAWRENCEBURG, KY (June 1, 2023) – Straight out of the Commonwealth of Kentucky comes the highly-anticipated third annual release of Russell’s Reserve 13-Year-Old Bourbon, the oldest expression of the core range from the fan-favorite Russell’s Reserve. Praised as the “Best American Whiskey of 2021” by world-renowned spirits critic and bourbon authority Fred Minnick, Russell’s Reserve 13-Year-Old was most recently awarded a coveted Double Gold medal from the 2023 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
Russell’s Reserve 13-Year-Old is patiently crafted under the leadership of Master Distiller Eddie Russell, who celebrates his 42nd anniversary at the distillery this summer. Arriving in time for Father’s Day, the exemplary 13-Year-Old Bourbon pays tribute to the heritage and legacy of Russell’s Reserve, originally created by Eddie as an honor and tribute to the work of his own father, Master Distiller Jimmy Russell. The 13-Year-Old showcases Eddie’s decades of experience and expert ability to develop complex flavors through careful aging and keen barrel selection.
Eddie Russell first introduced the 114.8-proof 13-year-old Kentucky Straight Bourbon in June 2021. Quickly beloved by fans and whiskey drinkers alike, the Russell’s Reserve 13-Year-Old was re-introduced as a limited, annual offering in June of 2022. Serving as a shining example of the Russell family’s mastery of bourbon-making, Eddie maintains the barrel proof of this whiskey and opts not to chill filter, retaining all the natural character of the bourbon, resulting in a more robust mouthfeel, just as he intended it.
“Releasing Russell’s Reserve 13-Year-Old Bourbon is a moment I’ve come to look forward to each year,” said Eddie Russell, Master Distiller at the Wild Turkey distillery. “This bourbon is a personal favorite of mine and I am proud to bring it back this year in time for Father’s Day. I know I’ll be raising a glass with my father and son, Bruce, to celebrate, and hope fans and folks trying it for the first time can enjoy a glass with their families and friends this summer season as well.”
Savoring Russell’s Reserve 13-Year-Old is a one-of-a-kind tasting experience. Described by Minnick as showing both “power and elegance in a single glass,” the barrel-proof bourbon coats the palate with sweet and warming flavors rising from the harmonious marriage of dried dark fruit and charred confectionary notes. Those sweet and woody notes give way to rich flavors of honey, chocolate and nougat throughout, followed by a strong and lasting finish. As Minnick said, it’s the whiskey “I’d love to sip every day for the rest of my life.”
The re-introduction of Russell’s Reserve 13-Year-Old is the latest in the Russell’s Reserve lineup, which boasts an award-winning portfolio comprised of small batch releases to single barrel bottlings of the best-of-the-best bourbon and rye whiskeys Kentucky has to offer.
Best enjoyed neat or on the rocks, Russell’s Reserve 13-Year-Old will be available nationally from retailers, as well as at ReserveBar.com, at $150 SRP per 750 ML bottle for a limited time, starting in mid-June. For early access, sign up for the Russell’s Reserve Newsletter at russellsreserve.com.
At 150.00 msrp I’ll never try it. There are enough less expensive bourbon to keep me away.
No argument from me. Always your choice as to what’s worth a purchase and what’s not. I’m fine with $150, but understand that others won’t be. Thanks Marcus!
$150? Geeze, I paid $70 for the first one. Come to think of it, the 2nd release cost me $99 I believe. So the MSRP has doubled in price in 2 years? Wild Turkey/Campari are some greedy sons of biscuit-eaters!
Secondary value is $300-$400. Campari is still leaving money on the table. I wouldn’t call it greedy at all. Hell, $150 for a blend of 13- to 20-year bourbon at barrel proof (NCF) from a heritage distillery is a bargain nowadays.
Ok DJ, but how do you explain the 2021 msrp of $69.99 at launch? Are we supposed to assume they were just being generous? Or did they adjust the price upward afterwards based on demand? If the latter, then that is greed, is it not? “Greed” can be a loaded word for some, so pick the euphemism of your choice. Also RRSiB PS msrp has skyrocketed lately as well.
It’s not greedy, and I don’t blame them. No reason they should leave that much money on the table out of the goodness of their hearts. If this year’s is anything like last year’s, then it’s priced fairly in my book.
It was underpriced to begin with. They’re simply adjusting to the market (like any business should). If you’re not happy with the new price and you happen to see it on sale for $150, just pass it on by. No one is forcing anyone to buy it. 👍
Sure, no one is forcing anyone to buy anything. Which is irrelevant. Ok, we will all stop complaining about 100% prices increases on here then.
You’re free to comment as you wish. You apparently think it’s too high of a price; I think it’s a fair price. I don’t think either of us are going to convince the other differently. I’m simply saying you can vote with your wallet and I support you – and anyone – who does the same. It’s your choice to buy or not.
is the new RR13 that dropped on Reserve Bar last week the only one from this year? Or was there one already released as batch 4 and then this recent one will be batch 5?
It could be any batch in theory. It all depends on what the distributors send the retailers that Reserve Bar works with. No guarantee of bottling dates.
Copy that. Thx RareBird101. I’ve been hearing conflicting opinions on the recent batch as far as quality compared to the previous ones. I heard it looked substantially lighter in color. Maybe it’s more a true 13yo vs older stocks 🤷♂️
For what it’s worth, it’s 13-, 15-, and 21-year bourbon. Can’t taste color! 😉
That’s cool, wondering how you know the barrel ages? have you tried the new batch 4 or 5 yet? If so, what’s your thoughts on it compared to batches 1,2, and 3?
Through my distillery connections. I haven’t had the 2023 bottlings yet. Hopefully soon.
copy that. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts on the new batch. Also, is there a better way to get your content? Are you on Facebook or YouTube?
Thanks for asking, Bryan. Most of my content can be found at Patreon.com/rarebird101. Join for as low as $1/month. Cheers! dj
Copy that. Will keep that in mind. Do u by chance know which rickhouses the barrels came from? CN or Tyr? Or mix?
Both Tyrone and Camp Nelson.
I just got 2 from Reserve bar. Not a big fan of it so far, but it was a neck pour. Ill give it another pour next week after it has some time to breath. Never had last years so I cant compare. Got lucky with a JD10 same day and I kinda liked it a lil better.
Different strokes, different folks. I wasn’t impressed with Jack 10, though I did enjoy the 12.
Not to get off topic, but yea that 12 next. I’ll come back next week to see if I feel dif about my RR13. I really want to like this. Friend in Tx calls it the French kiss.. We’ll see and yes, I agree about the dif strokes thing, but the major consensus is that RR13 should be better than what I think it is. Im curious if anyone will post a review with last years vs this years.
Haven’t had a RR13 that wasn’t stellar. Everyone will have their own opinion and that’s a-okay.
I just bought a bottle at a local retailer today for $120. They usually charge at or slightly over retail, so I wonder if $150 is really more the Reserve Bar price rather than the MSRP. I would have happily paid $150, though.
DJ: Keep up the great work!
It’s probably because some systems are still using the 2022 pricing. Congrats!
rarebird101, do you know specifically how many barrels of 13- 15- and 21- year in Batch 4/5?
I don’t, but I’d imagine it would have a similar ratio to past releases: less of the oldest components, more of the rest.