In 2022, Tyrone’s rickhouse M reappeared in Wild Turkey’s private barrel program. The last time enthusiasts had seen private selections from M was in 2016 and 2017, and they were some of the most noteworthy barrels at the time. In fact, I’ve covered a number of Tyrone M selections on this blog over the years, though strangely, never a newer bottling. Thanks to the “12 Rickhouses of Turkey” series, that box gets checked today.
As some of you may have noticed, I’ve refrained from reviewing my own barrel selections lately. Back when I did, I’d provide the story around the selection, list my tasting notes, but omit a rating. I’ve never felt comfortable rating whiskey I’m personally connected to. Eventually, ratings became a distraction altogether so I left them out. Frank rates whiskey in his contributions to the blog, and that’s perfectly fine. I simply prefer to rely on descriptions. Boiling a whiskey’s overall profile and sipping experience down to a number, while helpful to some (especially those not fond of reading), often means the integral nuances of what defines a particular whiskey get lost.
Long story short, I’ll be reviewing one of my own Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel selections today. It’s the only 2023 Tyrone M bottle I own, so it’s more out of necessity than choice. Nevertheless, I’ll strive to be as objective as possible. Besides, the purpose of this series is to paint pictures of the flavor profiles imparted by select rickhouses in Wild Turkey’s single barrel program. It’s not about finding what’s best, but rather, what might be best for you based on my notes and impression.
The subject of today’s review is a Tyrone M Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel Bourbon named “Anderson County 2.” It was selected back in July 2023 by a group of friends and fellow Turkey enthusiasts, including Ryan Alves, Frank Dobbins, Bo Garrett, Aaron Konen, Jamar Mack, and Kenny Mills. I was there as well (doing my pacing thing, as ADHD Whiskey’s Matt Porter likes to give me a hard time about). The sticker is an homage to one of the first bourbons Jimmy Russell likely bottled, Anderson Club. The Anderson Club label was either sold or abandoned sometime after the Gould brothers purchased the distillery and is now owned by Heaven Hill. This is the second time I’ve used this theme, the first being an eight-year Russell’s selection from Tyrone’s rickhouse F back in 2021.
So, without further ado, let’s dive in!
Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel Bourbon
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Proof: 110
Age: 9 years
Misc.: “Anderson County 2” selected by Russell’s Renegades for Keg N Bottle; barrel 22-0622, Tyrone M, 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: caramel, toffee, buttercream frosting, sweet oak, orange-cinnamon glaze, warm baking spice, hints of Hawaiian Punch
Taste: vanilla pudding, spiked fruit-infused tea, old fashioned doughnut, brown sugar glaze, honey syrup, orange creme
Finish: long w/ fizzy cream soda, zesty-woody spice, candy apple, cinnamon, white pepper, faint cranberry ginger ale
Impression: As one familiar with Wild Turkey might expect, this profile is distinctive from 2016-2017 Tyrone M selections; moreover, there is a notable difference between this bottling and the ones I tasted in 2022. In fact, I’d say Anderson County 2 comes pretty close to 2023 Tyrone T selections, with the exception of the M having a considerably longer and more spice-driven finish. All of your core Turkey notes are here, such as vanilla, caramel, oak, and baking spice, though accented by citrus and sweet confectionery notes. It’s honestly quite the treat. If it weren’t for the spicy finish, I’d call it crushable.
If you were one of those disappointed by Tyrone M barrels in 2022, I encourage you to give a 2023 bottling a shot – especially a Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel selection. Kentucky Spirit might be nice as well, though I haven’t tasted a 2023 M to say for certain. It may not be as popular as Camp Nelson B or Tyrone Q, but there’s plenty to love with today’s Tyrone M. It just takes a roll of the dice. Luckily, taking a gamble on Wild Turkey’s offerings is more often than not a player’s advantage.
dj
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I do appreciate ratings with a review because they tend to remove any guesswork on the part of the reader. Some reviews I read get me thinking that the whiskey will be a 9/10 banger, only to discover it was a below average 4! Others I get to thinking the whiskey is nothing more than bottled pond water but the score ends up fantastic. Reading reviews the notes all seem to bleed from one into the next so a final objective measure is always appreciated. My $0.02 on the score topic.
As for this series, I’ve really learned a lot about the different locations across the WT properties. I appreciate the time you and Frank put into doing it (and covid is whiskey enemy #1).
Thanks for reading, Tony. I’m glad you’re enjoying the series. As for ratings … With Turkey, especially modern expressions like Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel, the quality is so consistent that I find myself splitting hairs over a quarter point or so. I’ll promise you this, if I don’t like a whiskey (including a Wild Turkey expression), I’ll be sure to let you and other readers know it. 🙂 Cheers and all the best!
My first Russell’s Reserve SiB was a 2016 Ty M and made me a WT fan for life! Thanks for highlighting all these awesome rickhouses.
Thanks for reading, Mike!