Russell’s Reserve is a brand under the Wild Turkey Label. A private barrel is exactly what you’d think, it’s a whiskey where a retailer, bar, restaurant or buyer approaches the distiller to acquire one of their barrels. Each barrel can differ greatly in taste causing some to be smash hits and widely sought after while other barrels may end up on sale with the retailer hoping to recover their cost. Buy 3 barrel picks and win a chance to purchase an allotted bottle sound familiar? The one we acquired was a barrel selected by 58 Wine & Liquor in New York City. It was distilled on October 26, 2011; dumped on May 12, 2020 and bottled on May 27, 2020.

Nose: oak, spices and vanilla

Palate: vanilla, cinnamon, caramel and wood

Nose: wood and spices

I enjoyed this whiskey, but if I am being honest it wasn’t a whiskey that blew me away. At a 55 ABV it’s a smooth whiskey! It’s also creamy with a light burn and overall a good sipping whiskey but nothing you are missing out on if you’ve not tasted it. It’s nothing revolutionary but there is also nothing wrong with it either. It’s a whiskey that we will definitely enjoy. I would say if you’re a fan of Wild Turkey it’s worth picking up a Russel Reserve Barrel Pick if your local store bought one. Wild Turkey fans would enjoy this as a daily drinker.  

Cheers

Note: The contents on my blog are solely my opinion. To me every palate is different! Although I may or may not like a product, I always recommend for people to try it and make up their own minds.