Three Generations, One Legacy: Russell's Reserve Single Barrel

Every whiskey is barrel-aged, and single-barrel expressions offer the most intimate, small-batch tasting experience. The Russell family is at the forefront of this distinct category with their Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel offerings in both bourbon and rye expressions.

Named after the legendary Russell family, the series is crafted by Hall of Fame Master Distiller Eddie Russell. He learned his craft from his father, Jimmy Russell, the longest tenured Master Distiller in the world. Along with Eddie’s son Bruce Russell, Associate Master Blender, this family has over 100 years of distilling and production experience.

The three generations of Russells blend tradition with innovation, creating bourbons and ryes that suit modern tastes.

Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel Bourbon, first released in 2023, is initially distilled to an ABV of 65% which is considerably lower than the legal maximum of 80%. That means less water is added before barreling, thus retaining more flavor as it ages and the liquid evaporates.

“We could make more whiskey at 80%, but we’d rather distill low and make better whiskey and have less of it,” says Eddie Russell.

The distillate is aged in an American oak single barrel featuring a #4 alligator char, imparting a deep amber hue and more pronounced flavor profile than standard bourbon. Each single barrel yields roughly 150 bottles, making every bottle rare and unique.

Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel Bourbon is bottled at 110 proof and non-chill filtered, allowing the spirit to retain its optimal flavor and aroma. On the nose notes of vanilla, nuts, and brown sugar mingle with hints of oak and cinnamon. The palate is spicy, bold, and deeply complex, with flavors of creamy toffee, licorice, and vanilla. The journey concludes with a finish of sweet spice and pronounced malty notes.

It’s ideal for sipping neat, but also works on the rocks and in cocktails. As Eddie always says, “The proper way to drink it is however you like.”

All Russell’s Reserve barrels are selected from the “center cut”—the third and fifth floors of Wild Turkey’s seven-floor timber rickhouses. These middle floors are the sweet spot for the aging cycle of Russell’s Reserve due to their ideal temperature fluctuations throughout the year.

Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel Rye, first released in 2015, renders a whiskey dark amber in color. On the nose, there are strong fruit cake notes with hints of sweet vanilla and pepper. The palate is full of baking spices like ginger and allspice, balanced with a caramel sweetness and thick toffee mouthfeel. The finish leans toward pear drops and spicy peppercorn. It’s non-chill filtered and bottled at 104 proof, the optimal strength, according to Eddie, for harmony and balance.

Rye was once the preferred whiskey style of Americans—it was actually invented before bourbon—but fell out of popularity in the late-20th century. It has roared back in the last decade amongst “in-the-know” whiskey consumers and a new generation who are rediscovering classic cocktails with recipes that call for rye in drinks like the Manhattan, the Old Fashioned, and the Fourth Regiment - an equal parts rye and sweet vermouth cocktail.

Just like Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel Bourbon, Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel Rye is a complex sipping spirit suited for a wide range of social occasions. Every bottle is sourced from a unique barrel, each possessing its own unique characteristics.

Shop Here

Sponsored by Russell’s Reserve. ©2025 Campari America, New York, NY. Uncompromising people drink responsibly.