It’s that time again … Turkey Time! Well, it’s always Turkey Time as far as I’m concerned, but today’s a special Turkey Time – time for another entry in the “12 Rickhouses of Turkey” series. And what’s on deck? A 2023 Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel selection from the Rhody Barrel Brotherhood. I’m a huge fan of this year’s Tyrone Q barrels. In fact, I helped select two myself – one for Rackhouse 76 Liquors in Chapin, SC, and a second with the Bourbon Crusaders back in June. 

Something worth mentioning regarding recent Tyrone Q selections … the eight-year age statement. For some reason there’s a rather vocal group of whiskey enthusiasts who claim that eight-year selections are “young.” This is incorrect. In fact, the grand majority of Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel selections fall in the eight- to 10-year range. With all the shouts for Wild Turkey 101 8-Year to make a stateside return, you’d think that fans would be thrilled for a 110-proof, eight-year Turkey (NCF, no less). I guess some people just need something to complain about. Besides, taste is what matters most (and spoiler: Q is kicking ass this year).

One last thing before I dive in. This isn’t the first time I’ve covered a selection from Tyrone Q. Back in 2019, I reviewed a 2016 Kentucky Spirit selected by Big Red Liquors. At the time I was stunned by its similarities to Camp Nelson, so I reached out to Eddie Russell for clarification. He replied that in 2016, Q was a newer construction, so barrels were relocated to Q from other rickhouses. As it turns out, Big Red’s Tyrone Q Kentucky Spirit was indeed from Camp Nelson. Naturally, I was curious if 2023 barrels may have been relocated as well, so I asked Bruce Russell if he might kill the mystery. Bruce stated that this year’s Q barrels aged exclusively in rickhouse Q. (Just something to remember when cross-referencing reviews prior to 2023.)

12 Rickhouses of Turkey: TYQ

Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel Bourbon

Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Proof: 110

Age: 8 years, 7 months

Misc.: Selected by the Rhody Barrel Brotherhood; barrel 23-0303, Tyrone Q, 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: salted caramel, butter toffee, toasted oak, orange cake frosting, woody confectionery spice, hints of cranberry jam & bubblegum

Taste: vanilla pudding, Jolly Ranchers candy, honey-maple, zesty citrus, sweet charred oak, white pepper, boozy maraschino cherry

Finish: medium-long w/ brown sugar, spiked orange soda, oak char, Classic Turkey herbal/floral spice, cinnamon toothpicks, faint leather

Impression: Excellent – just excellent – and loaded with depth and surprising maturity for eight years. So much so, I’d put this Tyrone Q up against a fair number of 10-year-old barrels (and already have). Barrel 23-0303 is a near-perfect example of what I look for in a Russell’s Reserve private selection. The nose is sweet and inviting, but with more than enough oak presence to balance things out. The taste ratchets things up a notch and reminds me of some pre-2018 Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel bottlings – especially the honey-maple and zesty citrus. And the finish … even more callbacks to the past with its layered duration and Classic Turkey herbal/floral spice.

There’s a lot to choose from when it comes to Wild Turkey single barrels. Given the opportunity, do not pass a 2023 Tyrone Q selection by – especially a Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel selection. As hot as Camp Nelson is right now (and boy, is it hot), Tyrone Q is without question the unsung hero of this year’s private barrel program. While I’m well aware of the awesomeness of 10-year-old Camp Nelson B and E barrels (two locations you’ll be reading about in future “12 Rickhouses of Turkey” entries), Tyrone Q is a force to be reckoned with. Hell, it might just be my new favorite rickhouse.

dj

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