Tasting Notes: Wild Turkey Jimmy Russell 70th Anniversary Bourbon

November 7, 2024 / bourbonjourney / Leave a comment

November 7, 2024
By Rebecca Herman McBrayer

Back in September, Wayne and I enjoyed a fantastic visit to the Wild Turkey Distillery and it happened to be the week of celebration for Jimmy Russell’s 70th Anniversary in the industry. During that visit, we were each able to acquire one bottle of the special release for this momentous occasion.

Jimmy Russell’s 70th Anniversary 8-Year-Old Release: “Commemorative bourbon release honoring Master Distiller Jimmy Russell’s 70th Anniversary with Wild Turkey making him the longest-tenured spirits Master Distiller in the world.”

“To honor Jimmy’s incredible impact on the bourbon world, Wild Turkey is proud to present the limited-edition Wild Turkey Jimmy Russell’s 70th Anniversary 8-Year-Old Bourbon. This collector-worthy release is an 8-Year-Old, 101-proof bourbon, with an additional blend of 8- to 9-year-old whiskeys, hand-selected from a few of Jimmy’s favorite Rickhouses. Best enjoyed neat or over ice, this bourbon is a true tribute to Jimmy’s legacy.”

Tasting Notes: Wild Turkey Jimmy Russell 70th Anniversary Release

Please be sure to read our approach to Tasting Whiskey if you haven’t already.

Mashbill – 75% Corn, 13% Rye, 12% Malted Barley
Age – 8 years
Proof – 101
Price Paid – $49.99 (plus tax)

Color – Medium copper.

Aroma – Vanilla, caramel, cinnamon – a very classic bourbon profile, inviting on the nose, and with a tad bit of smokiness or tobacco notes.

Tasted Neat – Like the nose, there is creamy vanilla, caramel (almost a butterscotch), and cinnamon. There is also a hint of a dark stone fruit and a slight nuttiness.

Finish – The finish is medium to long. The flavor profile really continues with the finish as there is oak and cinnamon that linger in a very pleasant way. There is also a note of very dark chocolate with some caramel sweetness on the finish.

Tasted with dried cranberry – This somewhat muted the flavor profile. Sweetness at the beginning, some orange zest, very limited finish.

Tasted with a pecan – Brings a lot of barrel notes of char and smokiness forward. It also intensified the pecan flavors. This truly highlighted the barrel in a great way.

Tasted with dark chocolate – Creamy, chocolate, not spicy, with a long finish of barrel char, cinnamon, dark chocolate, very nice finish.

Final Notes and Video

A few reasons why we love this bourbon: The nose confidently showcases vanilla, caramel, and cinnamon – a classic bourbon profile that is undeniably inviting, complemented by subtle hints of smokiness or tobacco. Upon tasting it neat, it is clear this is a bourbon drinker’s delight. Echoing the nose, creamy vanilla, rich caramel (almost akin to butterscotch), and vibrant cinnamon make their mark. There’s an unmistakable essence of dark stone fruit and a touch of nuttiness that enhances the experience. The finish is impressively medium to long, with flavors of oak and cinnamon beautifully lingering in a most satisfying manner. Additionally, a rich note of dark chocolate intertwines with a delicate caramel sweetness, rounding out the terrific finish.

We love that this commemorative bottle is affordable and that is truly in alignment with who Jimmy Russell is. In addition, they made it available! Too often, such releases are nearly impossible to find. Wild Turkey has placed this on a wider distribution so that fans can find it, buy it, enjoy it, and raise a glass in honor of Jimmy Russell! Cheers!

Embracing the Craft,
Wayne & Rebecca

Photos and video by Rebecca Herman McBrayer

NOTE: The bourbon in this review was purchased by us. We were not compensated by the spirit producer for this review. This is simply our opinion based on what we tasted on this day. Please drink responsibly.

Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey: Such whiskeys have all the requirements of bourbon: Made in the U.S, distilled at <= 160 proof, barreled at <= 125 proof, aged in new, charred oak containers, bottled at >= 80 proof. Straight bourbon means it is aged at least 2 years (and must have an age statement if less than 4). In addition, to be Kentucky Straight Bourbon, it has the additional requirement that it must be produced and aged at least 1 year in the state of Kentucky. For additional information on bourbon requirements, please read this post – Bourbon Whiskey.

Wild Turkey Distillery Tour: A Russell’s Reserve Immersion Experience

September 13, 2024 / bourbonjourney / Leave a comment

Tour Date: September 12, 2024 10:00am
By Rebecca Herman McBrayer

Our long-awaited first tour of Wild Turkey was finally here! Arriving in the parking lot and seeing the gorgeous visitor ahead let me know this was really happening!

Check in was simple. The lady who checked us in hinted that we might want to visit the bottle shop before the tour as they had the Jimmy Russell 70th Anniversary bottles available but they had a specific allotment for the day. She also said that she could hold our purchases for us. We know how to take a hint! This also gave us an opportunity to explore a bit.

The visitor center is absolutely beautiful. No detail was overlooked.

Born from the Barrel – Russell’s Reserve Immersion In-depth Russell’s Reserve Rickhouse Experience

Tour Description: Pull back the curtain on Kentucky craft whiskey excellence and discover the art of barrel maturation that has been perfected by our Master Distiller Eddie Russell. We invite you to go behind the scenes with us for the Born from the Barrel Russell’s Reserve Immersion, a 60 minute in-depth look at where and how the award-winning Russell’s Reserve is made. The tour includes a visit to one of our oldest and most iconic timber rickhouses where you’ll learn about the impact of environmental aging and the importance of center cut selection for our acclaimed small batch and single barrel whiskeys.

We were excited to learn that Bo would be our guide. We had met Bo on prior visits and knew he was a wealth of knowledge as well as passionate about all things Wild Turkey. Follow him on Instagram: firebirdbo. He provided a brief overview of what we would be doing and then invited us to board the bus.

We arrived at Rickhouse A – their oldest, built in 1894. We enjoyed the view outside of the rickhouse while Bo shared historical information about Wild Turkey, the property, and the rich distilling history of the area.

Once inside, we learned more history about their operations, the rickhouse, and how Jimmy, Eddie, and Bruce came into the organization. We have been in many rickhouses but this one simply felt special. Of course, it smelled amazing with 130 years of angel’s share permeating the wood! These pictures don’t do it justice but they do provide some context of being there.

Russell’s Reserve Tasting

The tour concluded with a guided flight of Russell’s Reserve products. The pours were outstanding and it was the first time either of us have tasted a Russell’s Rye or the 13-year-old. Wow!

Taking it All In

Following the tasting we got a drink to take outside and enjoy the patio area. A truly beautiful day! We kept hoping that if we stayed long enough, Jimmy Russell would arrive. Thus, we went upstairs to their bar for a small bite and met two great guys from NY – Ben & Ben – father and son. Bourbon people are the best!!!

We decided that we should head back to Bardstown. Slightly bummed that there wasn’t an opportunity to congratulate Jimmy on his 70th but thrilled with our day at Wild Turkey!

Gift Shop

Our most exciting bottle to acquire was the 70th Anniversary one. We did a neat pour of it while there and it is outstanding!

Distillery Trail Statistics

We originally visited Wild Turkey May 23, 2023. Unfortunately, it was still on shut-down for renovations and were not able to engage in a tour. We did enjoy the gift shop and chatting with people who work there. It was our 46th distillery and our 39th stamp on the KBT Signature Trail and we knew we would return once full tours were available.

We visited again February 23, 2024 and were able to meet and visit with Jimmy Russell. It was a dream come true to have the opportunity to visit with him on that day.

For this third visit, we were thrilled to experience the Born from the Barrel Russell’s Reserve Immersion Tour. It was our 142nd distillery experience.

Happy Trails!
Rebecca & Wayne

All photos by Rebecca Herman McBrayer unless otherwise noted.

July 2024 Wild Turkey Triumph Tasting

July 25, 2024 / bourbonjourney / Leave a comment

July 25, 2024
By Rebecca Herman McBrayer

Wayne and I have been wanting to open this bottle and finally found a moment to relax and enjoy a pour. “Crafted with Conviction” by Eddie Russell, this year’s limited release of Master’s Keep – Triumph – is a passion project at Wild Turkey. This release is a nod to Eddie’s son, Bruce, Associate Blender at Wild Turkey and someone with a passion for rye. At 10-years old, this is the oldest age-stated rye ever released by Wild Turkey.

Please be sure to read our approach to Tasting Whiskey if you haven’t already.

Wild Turkey Master’s Keep Triumph – Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey

Mashbill – 51% Rye, 37% Corn, 12% Malted Barley
Age – 10 Years
Proof – 104
Price Paid – $275 (plus tax and shipping)

Appearance – Copper. Legs are somewhat slow to form but very substantive when appear.

Aroma – Initially, it is light and not very distinct. As it opens and the nose acclimates, a lot begins to happen. There is a sweetness often reminiscent of bourbon with vanilla and crème brûlée. Then the rye components of mint, allspice, and cloves drift into the aroma. Finally, there is a hint of light fruits such as apples and pears with a touch of nutmeg. It is quite a journey just on the nose!

Tasted Neat – Much like the nose, tasting requires several approaches to allow the flavor profile to touch each part of the mouth. It shifts and turns with each sip. The viscosity, as indicated by its legs, really provides a wonderful mouthfeel and the texture coats the palate very pleasantly. There is a lovely sweetness of honey, vanilla, and baked apples or pears. The flavors transition to deeper notes of dark chocolate, brown sugar, dates or possibly figs. The barrel notes come forward with oak and baking spices.

Finish – The finish is very long and lingering. Wood notes are dominate with oak and black pepper. However, there is also a light mint sensation to lighten up the otherwise darkness of the finish. It is certainly a journey!

Tasted with dried cranberry – At first sip, it became a spice bomb of red hot cinnamon. However, it calmed down to release a hint of citrus on the front and a brighter, but still a spicy finish.

Tasted with a pecan – This is interesting as it brought the wood notes very forward with dark chocolate and mint. Still a spicy finish but more along the line of ginger.

Tasted with dark chocolate – Wow, this became a chocolate desert drink, almost like Mexican Hot Chocolate with cinnamon.

Discussion and Final Notes

Perhaps it is the length of time in the barrel, the 37% corn, or the specific barrel selections, but this rye tends to waiver between a bourbon and a rye experience. As such, it would be a great pour for someone who hasn’t regularly enjoyed a rye whiskey.

That aside, this is an outstanding rye whiskey. With a 51% rye mashbill, the rye spices and rye grass notes don’t hit you upside they head; instead, they dance around and play with your nose and palate. As noted above, the journey it takes you on is an incredibly pleasant one and one that has a surprise around every turn.

Overall, I’m glad that we were able to get a bottle at MSRP directly from Wild Turkey. This is a wonderful addition to our Wild Turkey collection as well as our rye options.

Cheers,
Rebecca & Wayne

Photos by Rebecca Herman McBrayer

Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey Spirit Requirements

Rye Whiskey Basic Requirements – Rye whiskey must be made from at least 51% rye. It must be distilled at 160 proof or less. It then must be placed into a new, charred oak container at a proof of 125 or below. Straight rye whiskey is a subcategory of rye whiskey that has been aged for at least two years in new, charred oak barrels and doesn’t contain any additives. If aged less than four years, the label must include an age statement. In addition, to be Kentucky Straight Whiskey, it has the additional requirement that it must be produced and aged at least 1 year in the state of Kentucky. For additional information on bourbon requirements, please read this post – Rye Whiskey.

NOTE: The whiskey in this review was purchased by us. We were not compensated by the spirit producers for this review. This is simply our opinion based on what we tasted on this day. Please drink responsibly.

Recent Visit with Jimmy Russell at Wild Turkey

March 28, 2024March 28, 2024 / bourbonjourney / Leave a comment

March 28, 2024
By Rebecca Herman McBrayer

*_{Rebecca & Wayne enjoying a Chocolate Cherry Cordial}*

February 23, 2024, Wayne and I decided to enjoy the Frankfort and Lawrenceburg areas in Kentucky. We only had one scheduled visit that day and it wasn’t until 5PM. It is amazing all the places you can visit in a single day.

Our first stop was at Wild Turkey. We cannot wait until their Visitor Center “refresh” is completed and they are offering tours again. We were told that would be very soon. Meanwhile, the people at their outpost are terrific.

We selected a few items to purchase and then enjoyed a fantastic cocktail – a Chocolate Cherry Cordial made with Russell’s 10 Year. I asked if Jimmy Russell might stop in and was told that our best bet would be after lunch. We decided not to wander too far so we could make a return trip later in the day.

We departed and just went with the flow. Our first stop was Lawrenceburg Bourbon, which is just down the road. Then we revisited Four Roses, Woodford Reserve, and Castle & Key. It was a lovely day to enjoy the beauty of the area. We had worked a good “loop” and the timing seemed good to return to Wild Turkey. As we approached the building, a few folks said – “Hey, someone is in there signing bottles and taking pictures.” In our minds, that could only be one person!

Visit with Jimmy Russell

We walked in to see Mr. Jimmy Russell and his lovely wife Joretta greeting visitors. We waited for our opportunity to speak with them. They were incredibly gracious and you could tell that Jimmy loved meeting people and sharing stories.

We took photos with him and he signed items for us. We stayed and talked with him whenever someone else wasn’t waiting for the opportunity. This was truly a dream come true and I admit to getting a bit emotional to finally meet him.

Jimmy got into a great conversation with Wayne about Judge McBrayer. He had someone grab publication where he looked up an article about Cedar Brook and was trying to find something about the Judge but couldn’t put his finger on it. It was a special conversation.

Wayne asked him if he loved the aromas of walking through a distillery as much as we do. He share that he really doesn’t notice the great smells because his nose is trained to look for something that is wrong or out of place. Then he knows there is an issue. Wayne also asked which of their bourbons was his favorite. He quickly noted that the Russell’s 10 Year is his pick!

He also signed my Bourbon Trail hat! This really made my day. I could have stayed longer but we really needed a bite to eat before our scheduled evening event.

What a fantastic experience to meet the “Buddha of Bourbon” who has enjoyed an amazing 60+ years making Wild Turkey whiskey! It should be no surprise that he is a member of the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame. He was also granted a Lifetime Honorary Membership to the Kentucky Distillers’ Association’s Board of Directors. Read more of his story here.

Great Finds to Bring Home

In the morning, we selected the Russell’s Single Barrel and the Russell’s 10 Year. In the afternoon, we ha the opportunity to acquire the month’s personal selection by Eddie Russell of Kentucky Spirit Single Barrel.

We also got this amazing crystal decanter and a terrific Wild Turkey sign for our Bourbon Room.