Russell's Reserve 10 Year Bourbon

Russell’s Reserve 10 Year is everything you want in a well-aged, affordable bourbon. Crafted by Jimmy and Eddie Russell at Wild Turkey, this small-batch bourbon balances rich oak, deep caramel, and just enough spice to keep things interesting. At 90 proof, it’s an easy sipper that still carries plenty of depth. For around $40, this bottle is a must-have for anyone who appreciates classic Kentucky bourbon. Nose: Rich caramel and vanilla lead the way, followed by toasted oak, dark cherry, and a hint of baking spice. There’s a citrusy brightness, almost like an Old Fashioned in a glass, with a touch of leather and cocoa rounding things out. Palate: Buttery in the best way—thick, smooth, and full of flavor. Notes of dark fruit, and warm cinnamon hit first, followed by oak, and a bit of eathiness. A citrus note lingers, giving the sense of a well-crafted cocktail, with honeyed sweetness balancing everything beautifully. Finish: Long and warming. The spice lingers just enough, fading into caramelized sugar, seasoned oak, and a hint of dark chocolate. It’s rich but never overwhelming, leaving a lasting impression that makes you want another sip. Russell’s Reserve 10 Year gives you the feeling of sipping an Old Fashioned straight from the bottle—rich, buttery, and balanced with just enough sweetness and spice.

This bottle cost me $43.99 at the Uptown Total Wine Store in Albuquerque. It's 10 years old, of course, and 90 proof. Online I found information indicating that the mash bill is 75% corn, 13% rye, and 12% sprouted barley. It has a new copper color in the glass. NOSE: Dusty caramel, vanilla, creamed corn, buttered roasting ears, cinnamon rolls right out of the oven, coconut (coconut?!), and very ripe bananas. It seemed like every time I nosed it I found something else, including one note I've never gotten from a whisky before. MOUTHFEEL: Smooth and slightly oily. TASTE: Cinnamon, butter, honey, brown sugar. FINISH: Medium - oak, with a bit of honey. SUMMARY: This is a better bourbon than the notes above might indicate. The nose is complex, but the taste is more simple, and the finish just gave me two notes. However, it's still a real good bourbon; I have no complaints about it at all. It's definitely worth the price, and maybe a bit more. RATING: My hick rating system says this one is Right Fine, which is next to the top in my eight level scale (I count from the bottom, so this is a 7). This rating equates to 4.375 stars, 87.5/100, or 8.75/10.

This is a product that I feel slipped a bit here the last couple years. This is LL/MD filled April 24 2024 and while it’s not the LL/ME filled in May it is still a major improvement from the last couple years. This is the one that started it for me. Up until I rolled the dice on this at the recommendation of a small liquor and cigar shop in Belle Meade TN. It was a staple for me from 2016 to 2019 and then it fell on hard times in 20, 21 and 22 in my opinion. Started to come back in 23’ and now is back to where it was almost a decade ago. I feel like when it’s on …. Cherry, mahogany leather chairs, musty old library books and a hint of butterscotch. Finish is wet oak and it is short but pleasing. Kentucky Spirits are more my wheelhouse and very underrated in my opinion but every once in awhile I check on this offering to see where it’s at? I enjoy the bottom floor Turkey when it gets some age on it and at times I feel like there is 12-13 year juice in here. Great starter bourbon and a great 90 proof option- my favorite at this proof. Cheers!

Laser code LL/ME Glass: Glencairn, rested 15 minutes. Color: Dark amber. Nose: Floral and fruit notes dominate the nose. Palate: Baking spice and clove up front, mild cinnamon and oak towards the back. Finish: Long length with medium heat. Splash: Oak tannins become much more pronounced with a few drops of water. Overall: 9/10 - Having found an elusive LL/ME at close to MSRP, it was time to revisit this expression. The nose is fantastic and the finish is very long for 90 proof. The palate is complex enough to really savor. This is a great bourbon, especially at MSRP. Those LL/ME bottles are out there if you look.

To me the sweetness is upront on this one, it’s a pleasant feel on the nose, its giving me fresh berry vibes to it. The palate is very tame and smooth and Im really liking the mouth feel on this as well, it kinda coats the inside of your mouth and has a viscous feel to it. In terms of flavor Im getting a bit of a woody and oaky taste to and the sweetness isnt as upront and starts to fade onto the finish but in a calm pleasent manner. This is a great daily sipper

An intense, Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey by Master Distiller, Jimmy Russell and his son Eddie for the Wild Turkey Distillery in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky aged in American oak for a minimum of 10 years. It has an aromatic birth with notes of wood, grain & pine resin; while a bold & full life adds notes of oak, corn & butterscotch; that led to a long & warming death by the campfire. April 2016 / August 2022