Seeing as this is the penultimate entry in the “12 Rickhouses of Turkey” series, I thought I might shake things up a bit. But just slightly. The original concept for this series centered around Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel selections from popular rickhouses over the last few years. Today, I’m reviewing an anomaly – a 2020 private selection from Tyrone’s rickhouse N.

Those familiar with the early days of Wild Turkey’s private barrel program might recall a number rickhouse N selections – either Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel or Kentucky Spirit. In fact, I reviewed one from Total Wine back in 2017. But even at that time there was an air of mystery about these barrels. After all, Tyrone N is palletized, meaning it’s not a traditional wood/clad rickhouse where barrels rest horizontally on racks on multiple floors. Instead, barrels are stacked vertically (on their heads) on pallets in tiers. While an unconventional aging method for Wild Turkey, it’s commonly practiced by other producers, most notably Four Roses.

I once asked Master Distiller Eddie Russell about Wild Turkey’s palletized rickhouses. He made it clear that a majority of the whiskey aging on pallets is used for American Honey and Australian RTDs (canned beverages that are “ready to drink”); however, barrels from other locations can sometimes wind up in palletized rickhouses.

Whether or not relocation explains the origins of past Tyrone N (or Tyrone O) bottlings is unknown. I suppose it’s always possible that a barrel could spend eight or more years on a pallet and end up bottled as a Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel or Kentucky Spirit. Yet, knowing that liqueurs and RTDs only require two- to four-year-old bourbon, relocation seems the more plausible explanation for well-aged releases.

Enter Del Mesa Liquor’s barrel #19-0038 …

We all know 2020 was a crazy year. The world was waist deep in the “new normal,” and bourbon was no exception. While a grand majority of the barrels for Wild Turkey’s private barrel program originated from runs off the new still (formally launched in 2011), there were a fair number of 2009-distilled barrels from Camp Nelson A and F, as well as a handful from Camp Nelson D. Many of these barrel numbers were preceded by an “18-” or “19-,” meaning they were pulled for the program in either 2018 or 2019. Del Mesa Liquor’s barrel #19-0038 bears this hallmark, though unlike its counterparts the reverse label states it was aged at Tyrone N.

Before I dive into the theories of this selection’s origins, I think it’s best I provide my tasting notes for context.

12 Rickhouses of Turkey: TYN

Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel Bourbon

Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Proof: 110

Age: 10 years, 10 months

Misc.: “Russell’s Reserve Fightin’ Around the World” selected by Eddie Russell for Del Mesa Liquor; barrel 19-0038, Tyrone N, 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: cocktail cherry, candy apple, sweet oak, English toffee, orange peel, Twizzlers candy, woody spice

Taste: caramel apple, zesty spice, blood orange, cola, peppery oak char, leather, baked brown sugar

Finish: medium-long w/ red fruit, toasted molasses, rich oak, medicinal cherry, cinnamon candy, sweet herbal spice, hints of licorice & clove

Impression: Such a complex and lovely whiskey! The near-11-year maturity really shines – particularly the oak notes, which are far more sweet than savory. There’s also a great deal of red fruit, ranging from cocktail cherry to candy apple. But the real kicker is barrel #19-0038’s uncanny similarities to Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel selections of similar age. Take, for example, r/Bourbon’s barrel #19-0051, “200 Grand,” from Camp Nelson A, which shares the same floor (4) and distillation date (12/23/09). The Sugar House’s barrel #19-0126, “Golden Dagger,” also aged on the fourth floor of CNA and was distilled one day earlier (12/22/09). 

Could it be that Del Mesa Liquor’s Tyrone N selection actually aged on the 4th floor of Camp Nelson A? Palletized rickhouses have only a single floor and this label clearly states “4” on its label. That being said, 2015-2016 N and O selection tags provided floor numbers, though they could always be interpreted as tiers. Still, my gut tells me Del Mesa’s barrel originated from CNA but just to be thorough I’ll break it down by theory.

Theory 1: Barrel #19-0038 spent its entire life in Tyrone’s rickhouse N.

Based on the striking similarities in distillation date, barrel number, and floor, not to mention its shared flavor profile with CNA selections of comparable age, this appears the weakest explanation.

Theory 2: Barrel #19-0038 spent its entire life in Camp Nelson’s rickhouse A and the label stating “N” is simply a mistake. 

This is what I consider the “Occam’s razor” approach. It’s simple and leaves little need for additional information or supporting evidence. Someone at some point in time flubbed and transcribed a N instead of an A. (Note there is a letter N in CNA.) What should’ve been labeled as “A” or “CNA,” simply came out as “N” and the rest is history.

Theory 3: Barrel #19-0038 spent most of its life in Camp Nelson A but was relocated (even if just for a matter of weeks or days) to Tyrone’s rickhouse N.

Based on past conversations with Eddie Russell, this theory carries weight; however, supporting evidence is required. Considering barrels have been relocated in the past, namely Tyrone Q, S, and T bottlings from the late 2010s, it’s possible that barrel #19-0038 was, for whatever reason, moved to Tyrone N. Considering Eddie is credited with this Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel selection, he may have known about this well-aged barrel (or set it aside purposely) and offered it up to a deserving retailer. Unfortunately, one can only speculate. 

At the end of the day, speculation is all we have. I’m fairly certain Theory 1 is moot. I’m also fairly certain (more than fairly certain) that Del Mesa Liquor’s barrel #19-0038 aged on the fourth floor of Camp Nelson A. How that came to be – whether Theory 2 or 3 – I can’t say for sure. But, tasting is believing. Having sipped this Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel selection next to a string of 10+ year CNA barrels, I’m confident. This Tyrone N is undoubtedly of Camp Nelson origin. I’m also confident it’s ridiculously delicious. 

dj

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