Over the past two weeks I’ve received a number of messages on social media expressing disappointment with Russell’s Reserve Single Rickhouse Camp Nelson D. I get it. A $300 bottle of bourbon should knock your socks off. Apparently, that wasn’t the case for those individuals.
I’ve said this before but it warrants repeating – When it comes to whiskey, if you’re being honest with yourself you’re not wrong. I must admit, however, after a stellar run of Wild Turkey and Russell’s Reserve limited-edition releases from 2024-2026, not to mention some noteworthy Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel private selections, my curiosity was piqued. Single Rickhouse is arguably the worst value in the greater Wild Turkey portfolio, but comments like “hard pass” and “lacking depth” only fueled my desire to review it.
Full disclosure, I had a rare opportunity to try an early iteration of Single Rickhouse CND at Wild Turkey thanks to Bruce Russell. I had no idea what I was sipping at the time. A Glencairn of copper-colored liquid was offered to me and that was that. I gave it a nose, followed by a taste, and after a few repeats, offered my opinion. To me, it felt like a rye. Based on the playful sweet & spicy profile, and with the knowledge Wild Turkey’s rye recipe employs a significant amount of corn (at least for the category), it only made sense. I was impressed – excited even. It seemed we were getting a new rye LTO and I was thrilled. Then I was hit with the hard facts: it was barrel-proof bourbon; moreover, it was a sample of bourbon that would find its way into Russell’s Reserve Single Rickhouse CND.
Did the excitement of the evening’s festivities play a role in my opinion? After all, I was at Wild Turkey with Eddie and Bruce Russell and I’d just finished a pour of Russell’s 13 from the Generations Lounge. I’d be lying if I claimed those factors didn’t play a role. That said, when someone asks for my opinion on a spirit – especially someone in the industry I sincerely respect – I’m always honest. I truly enjoyed the sample, though my perspective experienced somewhat of a “Matrix twist” after learning it was bourbon (from Camp Nelson D, no less).
Which brings us to today’s review. The wait is over and I finally have the opportunity to spend some time with the latest in the Russell’s Reserve’s Single Rickhouse series. Will it taste like the whiskey I tried earlier this year? More importantly, will it taste like $300? There’s only one way to find out.
Russell’s Reserve Single Rickhouse: Camp Nelson D (2026)
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Proof: 120.8 (barrel strength)
Age: Not stated (likely 10-15 years)
Misc.: Composed of choice barrels from floors 1, 3, 4, 5 & 6 of Camp Nelson’s Rickhouse D, Jessamine County, KY; distilled & bottled non-chill filtered by the Wild Turkey Distilling Co., Lawrenceburg, KY
Price: $300
Availability: Select retailers
Tasted neat in a Glencairn …
Color: rich copper
Nose: caramel, boozy cake frosting, confectionery spice, cream soda, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, maple-drizzled oak, baked apple, faint lemon zest
Taste: classic vanilla syrup, creamy nougat, sweet charred oak, barrel-aged Sprite, Cadbury Creme Egg filling, cinnamon graham cracker, prickly spice
Finish: long w/ toffee drizzle, blended root beer float, fruit cocktail w/ honey, Vernor’s Ginger Soda, brown sugar glaze, diet cola, white pepper, hints of clove
Impression: For starters, this definitely tastes like a bourbon, not a rye as I’d assumed in June. Of course, the sample I tried in Kentucky wasn’t the final product and that could either be a major or minor factor of difference. Regardless, this whiskey is undoubtedly bourbon, and undoubtedly Wild Turkey at that. It’s also delicious, which comes as somewhat of a relief. It’s just not $300 delicious. But don’t throw your phone or slam your laptop shut just yet. I have more to say about Russell’s Reserve Single Rickhouse CND.
In terms of flavor, I can understand why rye came to mind in my initial (double blind) tasting. Single Rickhouse CND is a unique profile in comparison to other Single Rickhouse releases. But honestly, that’s how it should be. If the goal of the series is to showcase how each rickhouse ages whiskey, it would be pointless for every release to share a similar profile. Wild Turkey fans appreciate the differences a maturation campus, rickhouse, or floor can make. It’s one of the primary reasons the Russell’s Reserve private barrel program is popular today. Everyone has their personal favorites, and as a result, subjectiveness remains a pillar of enthusiasm.
Profile-wise, Single Rickhouse CND isn’t Eddie’s 45th or Austin Nichols Archive Gold Foil Edition, nor is it Russell’s 15 or Master’s Keep Beacon. If you’re looking for dark fruit, mature oak-driven notes like leather and tobacco, or dusty-esque funk you’ll be hard pressed to find it in this year’s Single Rickhouse expression. What you will find is a well-blended bourbon that features confectionery sweetness and spice – cake frosting, nougat, toffee drizzle, cinnamon, faint clove, etc. There’s also – like many bourbons from Camp Nelson – plenty of soda notes. In particular, cream soda, blended root beer float, and Vernor’s Ginger Soda (not to be confused with ginger ale). It’s not a cherry-oak-leather profile like Russell’s 15 or ANA Gold Foil Ed., nor is it tobacco-heavy like Beacon or Generations. Again, it’s its own thing. Delicious, but doesn’t quite rise to the $300 level in my honest opinion.
As for how Single Rickhouse CND ranks among its fellow entries in the series, I’d place it right in the middle. I prefer it over CNB and CNC, but it’s not as impressive as CNE or CNF. In fact, my ranking for the Single Rickhouses released to date is as follows: CNE > CNF > CND > CNB > CNC. Take that for what it’s worth, as palates/preferences can shift and change is inevitable given enough time. I’ve been writing about Wild Turkey for nearly a decade now and one thing I can say for certain is that what I considered “best” when I first started is not what I’d consider best in 2026 (especially in blind tastings).
In closing, Eddie, Bruce, and anyone at Wild Turkey involved with the blending process for Russell’s Reserve Single Rickhouse Camp Nelson D should be proud. I sincerely believe they crafted the best blend possible working within a box (in this case, rickhouse CND). Much like a bottled-in-bond whiskey has seasonal requirements, blenders are working with a limited aged inventory. Paying $300 (or more) comes down to the individual. Die-hard Turkey fans like myself will bite. In this case, I have no regrets as I enjoy CND’s profile. I also view it as a time capsule. I gain knowledge revisiting uniqueness and associating that uniqueness to a particular time and place. While you could argue you can do the same thing with a single barrel selection, you’re even more limited and likely won’t catch the bigger picture – the essence of the rickhouse itself.
dj
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