Rare Bird 101

Wild Turkey Bourbon Whiskey Info, Reviews, and Musings

Russell’s Renegades

Russell's Renegades

It should go without saying – choosing a barrel of fine whiskey fares best as a team effort. At the very least you’re sipping alongside a master distiller, like Eddie Russell, or perhaps a sample a producer has earmarked. But more often than not there are multiple talented and opinionated individuals involved in the process. Such is the case with Rare Bird 101 private barrel selections.

As of September 2020, Rare Bird 101 selections will be facilitated through Justins’ House of Bourbon via the Bourbon Outfitter, as well as Keg N Bottle (both nationally recognized licensed retailers). Access to these barrels, as well as the opportunity to join future selection teams, are benefits reserved for my Patreon supporters, or “Russell’s Renegades.” It’s not a bourbon club in the conventional sense, but rather a group of like-minded individuals passionate about Wild Turkey and American whiskey in general. As such, the barrels we select are a reflection of our community.

If you’re interested in Russell’s Renegades and our zeal for all things Turkey, please check out my Patreon site or shoot me an email and I’ll be happy to answer any questions you might have. As for past, present, and upcoming barrel selections, please see the following chart for reference.

Wild Turkey Barrel Selections

Selection DateNameExpressionBarrel, Location
2018
September 5, 2018One & A CenturyRussell’s Reserve Single Barrel Bourbon18-0643 CNF 5
2019
May 6, 2019Promise to Mr. PorkChopRussell’s Reserve Single Barrel Bourbon18-0573 CNF 6
May 6, 2019Russell the MuscleRussell’s Reserve Single Barrel Bourbon18-0567 CNF 6
May 6, 2019Swan Song: A Barrel to RememberRussell’s Reserve Single Barrel Bourbon19-0074 CNA 4
August 14, 2019Fast Eddie: No Ice, No GlassRussell’s Reserve Single Barrel Bourbon19-0538 CNF 6
2020
April 14, 2020Russell’s Renegades #404Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel Bourbon20-0404 TYB 4
April 14, 2020Russell’s Renegades #183Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit20-0183 TYE 4
September 8, 2020Rare Bird 101 & JHOB “PayDay”Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel Bourbon20-0689 TYG 4
September 8, 2020Rare Bird 101 & JHOB “Granny’s Spice Rack”Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel Bourbon20-0884 TYS 5
2021
March 18, 2021Rare Bird 101 & KNB “Canada Dry”Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel Bourbon21-0315 CNA 4
March 18, 2021Rare Bird 101 & KNB “Old Jim”Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel Bourbon21-0024 MCB 4
March 18, 2021Rare Bird 101 & KNB “Old Spendthrift”Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel Bourbon21-0508 TYF 4
March 18, 2021Rare Bird 101 & KNB “Anderson Club”Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel Bourbon21-0586 TYF 4
November 3, 2021Bo Garrett, Eddie Russell, Bruce Russell, and JHOB for Rare Bird 101Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel BourbonTYK
2022
March 16, 2022“Lawrenceburg & Loretto” Russell’s Renegades and JHOBRussell’s Reserve Single Barrel Bourbon20-0176 TYE
March 16, 2022“TBD” Russell’s Renegades and JHOBRussell’s Reserve Single Barrel Bourbon22-2163 TYT
March 16, 2022“Kentucky’s Finest” Russell’s Renegades and JHOBWild Turkey Kentucky Spirit21-0268 TYK
June 1, 2022Rare Bird 101 and Keg N Bottlen/an/a
June 1, 2022Rare Bird 101 and Keg N Bottlen/an/a
June 1, 2022Rare Bird 101 and Keg N Bottlen/an/a

Non Wild Turkey Barrel/Cask Selections

Selection DateNameExpressionBarrel/Cask Info
2021
February 2021A Midwinter Nights YakTTG Tessendier Lot 9525-year Cognac, 110 proof (NCF)
May 2021Riff Bird “Smoky”New Riff Single Barrel Bourbon4-year, barrel-proof KSBW (NCF)
May 2021Riff Bird “Candy”New Riff Single Barrel Bourbon4-year, barrel-proof KSBW (NCF)
August 2021Trail Bird “Krispy Kreme”Wilderness Trail Single Barrel Rye4-year, barrel-proof KSRW (NCF)
September 2021Symposium (collab with Malt Review)Westland Single Cask Selection6-year, barrel-proof American Single Malt (ex-tequila cask finish)
September 2021Whiskey HouseJack Daniel’s Single Barrel5-year, barrel-proof Tennessee whiskey
October 2021Star Bird MMXXIStarlight – Huber’s Rickhouse Select4-grain straight bourbon whiskey
October 2021Star Bird MMXXI-VDNStarlight – Huber’s Rickhouse SelectVDN rye
October 2021Cigar Bird MMXXIStarlight – Huber’s Rickhouse SelectCigar Batch Bourbon
November 2021The Clermont BakeryKnob Creek Single Barrel Rye5-year, 115-proof KSRW
December 2021Deus Ex MachinaWoodinville Single Barrel Select5-year, barrel-proof straight bourbon
December 2021Spirits Community CollaborationL’Encantada XO ArmagnacCask-strength blend of vintage casks (1986, 1993, and 2008)
2022
January 4, 2022Strawberry JamDriftless Glen Single Barrel Rye Whiskey5-year, barrel-proof straight rye
January 21, 2022Rare Bird 101 and JHOBRare Character Single Barrel Series6-year, barrel-proof KY-aged MGP bourbon
January 21, 2022Rare Bird 101 and JHOBRare Character Single Barrel Series6-year, barrel-proof KY-aged MGP bourbon
March 15, 2022“Loretto & Lawrenceburg”Maker’s Mark Private SelectionBarrel-proof straight bourbon finished in toasted oak staves
March 30, 2022Rare Bird 101 and JHOBRare Character Single Barrel Series5-year, barrel-proof KY rye
May 31, 2022Rare Bird 101 and JHOBNew Riff Single Barrel BourbonBarrel-proof KSBW

Last updated: April 2, 2022