It is that time of year again for Wild Turkey’s Annual Release of Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Old Barrel Proof, and I also lucked up and got a bottle of Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel. Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel was one of my go to favorite whiskies through 2020. After that supply seemed to have gone away. Then again. Wild Turkey was having to bottle fifths in plastic bottles for a while there after 2020, and demand for good bourbon has shot up as well. So, while I have reviewed both of these whiskies before, I thought these 2023 releases were worth a review. Additionally, with the lack of Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel out there I have been buying quite a few bottles of Wild Turkey Rare Breed, which is really good but the difference in the taste between chill filtered and non-chill filtered Wild Turkey for me is so stark.

Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Old Barrel Proof Bourbon Whiskey – Still the same 114.8 proof that is was last year, which tells me that this is the barrel proof, not the cask strength, meaning this was the proof that the bourbon went into the barrel, not necessarily the proof at which it came out. Which tells me that Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel is proofed down only a little bit to hit 110 proof. The color on this is a very deep amber with just a hint of mahogany, with a thin film that forms oily droplets that form legs oh so slowly. Incredible nose – very traditional bourbon (and when I took a shallow sniff it screamed Wild Turkey) that emphasizes caramel, vanilla, dark and citrus fruits, with a hint of oak in the background. On the palate, the vanilla starts out but is then overcome with cherry and banana bread notes, which then turns to heavy baking spices and clove. Really delicious with an excellent rich mouthfeel. On the finish, the cherries completely fade into clove and oak, which lingers for a good while. This one is a little different than last year’s release where I picked up grapefruit which I often find on certain Wild Turkey releases; instead we have banana bread. The Russells really are the Wonkas of bourbon given that they always use the same bourbon mashbill but can come up with so many different fruity flavor profiles in their various releases. Again, I just get blown away with what Wild Turkey puts out there, particularly in the higher proof Russell’s Reserve releases. For $100, this is a must buy.

Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel – Always a very quaffable 110 proof which given the lower barrel entry proof Wild Turkey uses – generally around 115 proof as opposed to 125 – this single barrel bourbon is always full of flavor. Once of the best $50 bottles you can buy. The color on this is a nice solid amber; lighter than the 13 year old and I would put this bourbon at about eight years old. On the swirl is this huge big thick film and legs. Nose is similar to the 13 year old but slightly muted; with more vanilla than caramel, some fresh baked bread notes, and but a hint of oak in the background. On the palate, vanilla and cherry notes dance across my tongue and I am reminded of how much I like this particular bourbon flavor profile that I have found in Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel and certain Knob Creek Single Barrel store picks. As the vanilla and fruit notes fade baking spices, particularly cinnamon, come to the fore. Really delicious bourbon. Nice mouthfeel too; not as rich as the 13 year old but definitely good especially at half the price. On the finish, the cherries become more of a cherry altoid flavor with clove and oak. As the finish lingers the clove and oak overtake the cherry flavors. This finish actually lingers a little bit more than the 13 year old. I really can’t say enough good things about this bourbon.

These Russell’s Reserve releases are just so good. When I sample these critically, I keep reaching the same conclusion. What if Wild Turkey just decided that they didn’t care anymore what their whiskies looked like over ice, and who cares if it is cloudy, and they just quit chill filtering their whiskies altogether. I get that the Russells may worry about alienating their loyal customer base for Wild Turkey 101. But I can’t imagine after tasting the non-chill filtered version that they would really say “oh, this sucks, I am not buying this anymore.” I don’t think chill filtering helps the flavor of any bourbon. But chill filtering absolutely ruins the amazing flavor of Wild Turkey. Regular Wild Turkey is not bad; but non-chill filtered Wild Turkey is amazing.