Thanks to last Friday’s TTB filing, we’ve learned what the next installment in the Russell’s Reserve Single Rickhouse series will be – Camp Nelson B. After two consecutive Camp Nelson releases, I was certain we’d see Tyrone join the Single Rickhouse lineup. That said, I can’t blame Wild Turkey for choosing Camp Nelson B. Since 2022, CNB Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel selections have captivated astute Turkey fans. In fact, were you to poll a group of experienced whiskey enthusiasts, I’d wager many would cite Camp Nelson B as a favorite. Which leads me to the next entry in my “12 Rickhouses of Turkey” series, Loch & Key’s “Moneyball.”
The Loch & Key Society has been around for as long as I’ve been covering whiskey (probably longer). Now that I think about it, one of my first reviews was a Loch & Key Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel Rye selection. Little did I know then how rare those rye barrels would become. The good news is, Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel Bourbon selections are much easier to find. And though I wouldn’t label them as common, a considerable number of barrels in Wild Turkey’s private selection program aged at Camp Nelson B. While the chance of finding Loch & Key’s “Moneyball” is slim, finding a comparable CNB bourbon shouldn’t be too difficult – especially with some help from whiskey friends. Which reminds me, special thanks to David Q. for making today’s review possible.
Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel Bourbon
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Proof: 110
Age: 9 years, 7 months
Misc.: Selected by the Loch & Key Society; barrel 22-0849, Camp Nelson B, 5th floor; distilled and bottled by the Wild Turkey Distilling Co., Lawrenceburg, KY
Tasted neat in a Glencairn after a few minutes rest …
Color: dense copper
Nose: cherry cordial, vanilla bean, boozy red apple, sweet & savory oak, blood orange, hints of cinnamon & clove
Taste: chewy caramel, toasted brown sugar, Dr. Pepper soda, sweet oak, semi-sweet cherry, leather, faint tobacco
Finish: medium long w/ vanilla spice, fizzy cola, peppery oak, red licorice, singed molasses, dried citrus, spiced apple
Impression: Simply put, Loch & Key’s “Moneyball” is one of the best Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel selections I’ve tasted this year. The depth of flavor, the impeccable balance of sweet and savory notes, and a level of complexity that harkens back to 2016 and 2017 Russell’s Reserve selections – particularly Tyrone G and B – make this a barrel worth pursuing. Interestingly, the first time I tasted this Loch & Key selection was via a two-ounce sample. It didn’t take long for me to realize its exceptional quality. Granted, a majority of Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel private selections showcase noteworthy flavor profiles, but I’d argue that very few modern Russell’s picks could surpass “Moneyball.”
If all of this sounds appealing to you, you have two options. First, make an effort to find a 2022-2023 Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel Bourbon from the fifth or sixth floor of Camp Nelson B. While most private selection bottles will state “CN-B” on the label, if it only states “B,” look for a barrel number of 22-08XX. That should be Camp Nelson B (as opposed to Tyrone or McBrayer B).
Should that fall through, your second option is to wait for the release of Russell’s Reserve Single Rickhouse CNB. Based on past pricing it won’t be cheap, but if it’s anything close to this year’s Single Rickhouse CNF, it’ll be worth every penny. You’ll also get it undiluted. With a significant number of CNB barrels clocking in at 120+ proof pre-bottling, one can only imagine the intensity at full strength. Having tasted several Camp Nelson B barrels in Tyrone’s rickhouse A, I can assure you it’s an experience you’ll not want to miss.
dj
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