Sorry, Russell’s Reserve 13 fans; there won’t be a release of that acclaimed expression this year. That’s because master distiller Eddie Russell and the Wild Turkey crew are instead giving you Russell’s Reserve 15 year old. (Spoiler: we got a taste and it’s quite good.)
For the uninitiated, Russell had been blending some 13 year old Russell’s Reserve into its 10 year old expression. “We figured we could keep that [the 13 year old] out and release it on its own,” says Russell. And in 2021, that’s just what Wild Turkey did: launched Russell’s Reserve 13. Initially, it was a one-time release, honoring Eddie Russell, but it was so popular that the company promoted it to an annual limited release starting in 2022. For this year, though, Russell decided to go with a 15 year old, and this will be a one-time-only offering, for reasons we’ll make clear in a second.
How is Russell’s Reserve 15 Year Old Bourbon Made?
First, a little about the liquid. Russell’s Reserve 15 year old bourbon (RR15) uses a standard Wild Turkey mashbill of 75% corn, 13% rye, and 12% malted barley. Those barrels mature at Camp Nelson, a smattering of rickhouses located about 45 minutes from the Wild Turkey Distillery in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky.
“Camp Nelson has been bringing our best whiskeys for the last six or seven years,” Russell tells us. “You’re not up there every year, it could be you’re drawing from Camp Nelson every two years or more.” Why does this location induce superior maturation? Partially because the ricks are out in the open, with ample airflow, and it’s next to the Kentucky River, for some added cooling.
Russell had hoped to be able to release 15 year old bourbon every two or three years, but when dumping those barrels, he found that of the original 55 gallons, each barrel was only yielding close to 17 gallons. Wild Turkey won’t disclose the total amount of RR15 bottles available, but presume it to be a low number.
After tasting the barrels used in RR15 “at least ten times over the last decade and a half,” Russell says he knew this was the year to dump and bottle. “You always worry about holding it another year,” he adds, “but it wouldn’t have tasted exactly right. The 15 year needed to get out now.” The RR15 blend is approximately 75% 15 year old and 25% 16 year old bourbons, both from Camp Nelson.
To Russell, the 15 year drinks bigger than the 13 year, but still adheres to his core principles of what a Russell’s Reserve product should comprise. “It’s about the journey, from the nose to the finish,” he says. “I want creaminess up front, with some sweetness or fruit, then in the mid-palate, I want a traditional Wild Turkey spice, then a big, super-long finish.”
The proof on Russell’s Reserve 15 year old is 117.2, a slight increase from its barrel entry proof of 115.
What’s Russell’s Reserve 15 Year Old Bourbon Taste Like?
For starters, it’s a beautiful deep amber color, verging on ruby, substantially darker than when viewed alongside its 13 year younger brother. The nose delivers on Russell’s promise of sweetness and fruit; there’s ample dark cherry, some fig, caramel corn, and the earthiness that Wild Turkey denizens will appreciate. There are some tobacco notes on the bouquet, too.
After a sip, you’ll notice a nice viscosity that coats your mouth like syrup, though the weight of the liquid itself is rather light. A creamy cherry note starts on your palate and builds like a freight train gathering steam. Pops of caramelized apples, and maraschino cherry all crop up before it transitions into the Wild Turkey spice Russell seeks, which manifests as clove, nutmeg, and even a little spiced pecan. There’s a solid amount of oak, but it doesn’t crowd the glass or diminish the lighter, sweeter notes.
The finish is tremendously long. It goes on for minutes, though it’s a pleasing one, melding dark cherry with dark chocolate, a touch of tobacco, a generous amount of oak, and some candied orange peel. Overall, it’s like tucking into a freshly made crème brûlée with some macerated cherries atop, dusted with citrus zest. You’ll immediately want another pour.
How Much Does Russell’s Reserve 15 Year Old Cost?
The SRP on RR15 is $250 a bottle, and it’ll go presale via the brand’s website or through select retailers in the U.S. and Asia on July 1st. (Visit russellsreserve.com to learn more about signing up for the presale.) However, given the scant quantity of liquid and resulting bottles, finding a bottle of Russell’s Reserve 15 in the wild for SRP will be exceptionally rare. (Some retailers are already offering it for online presale north of $1,200 per bottle.)
If we’ve learned anything from the rabid demand for Russell’s Reserve 13 year old , this one-time 15 year old expression will sell out very quickly. If you seek a bottle—and you should—try asking your preferred retailer now if any is expected.
