Russell's Reserve 15 Year Bourbon (2024 Release)

Nose- this is such a complex and changing nose. At first it was oak, leatherbook and chocolate. Then with air more sweeter, fruit flavors come to the forefront- cherry, ripe red apple, fruit compote. Really have to study this one. The more it sits, the sweeter and fruiter the nose gets. Palate- first thing that strikes me is the chewy viscosity. It is luxuriously coating. I get a hit of cherry cough drop followed by musty leather and tobacco. There is some chocolate to it too. It takes it right to the verge of overoaked without being overoaked. There then becomes this sweetness like red crisp apples in apple pie. Not the more bitter granny smith, but those Washington state kind. It goes out on that note. Finish- long oaky, apple pie finish with some nutmeg. It just keeps going and going until you sip the next one. Really good. Overall- One of the best I have had to date. It is so complex and changing with every sip. To me, it is a bit of a Pappy Killer- I prefer this over that for the complexity, added spice, and beautiful balance. This takes RR13 batch 1 to a new level by imparting more oak without losing the fruit. Where RR13 was a fruit/caramel bomb, this is a fruit/chocolate/oak grenade! I hate the price, but love the liquid.

An American masterpiece, and probably the best bourbons i have ever tasted. The 2024 expression is botlled at a shade above barrell proof and it delivers an exhilarating variety of perfectly balanced complex layers. On the nose, i pick up cigar box, leather, orange, caramel, and baked brown sugar. The taste adds English toffee, cinnamon spice, aged oak, and dark honey maple. Be forewarned that my first taste was like an explosion of flavors that overwhelmed my senses at first but each subsequent sip became more enjoyable as my taste buds recalibrated to the liquid gold. The finish was long, flavorful, and chewy with a final touch of chocolate, vanilla, and cherry coke. Full disclosure, this is the most expensive bottle of liquor i have ever purchased at several orders of magnitude above the unrealistic msrp of $250. I purchased it as a wild hair and justified it as a father’s day gift. As i am finalizing this summery and contemplating the final sip, it was money well spent. Cheers whiskey lovers

Fantastic, rich, dense, and powerful with loads of mexican hot chocolate, caramel, pecan pie, maple syrup, apricots, strawberries, mocha, and old school dusty wild turkey notes. Nose: Caramel, Ginger, Bananas Foster, Rum Raisins, Mexican Hot Chocolate, Apricots, Cinnamon, Licorice, Star Anise, Maple Syrup, Pecan Pie, Blueberries Palate: Mexican Hot Chocolate, Maple Syrup, Caramel, Raisins, Dates, Figs, Walnuts, Almond Joy, Strawberries, Mocha, Diesel, Charred Oak, Leather, Pecans Finish: Caramel, Burnt Honey, Demarara Syrup, Chocolate Covered Bacon, Chili Peppers, Apricots, Strawberries, Peaches, Morello Cherries, Cinnamon, Dusty Libraries, Pecan Pie

Rich caramel, sweet oak extract, maple syrup, light black pepper, bread pudding, creme brulee, nutmeg, clove, and medium ethanol. I thought the price was very reasonable at a bar compared to what they're charging for BTAC and other allocated products. This is fantastic, but there is no way I'm ever paying $300+ for this. I'm only judging off one pour, but I think some of the best ECBP releases come close to this for a fraction of the price. This is closer to the viscosity and sweetness of ECBP than a standard Russell's pick.

Nose - Some light grape, pear, peanut brittle, caramel, double oak with a deep deep char, not smoky tho. Palate - Some soft vanilla coats the tip of fhe tongue. Brings lots of cinnamon and making spice that goes together with that vanilla. Some nuttiness lingers around. The ethanol is pretty strong though and comes through more as its opened up, which is odd. Finish - Pretty much lots of oil, cinnamon, baking spice. Lots of warmth goes down. Makes it feel hotter than it is.

Tried at a Bar. NEAT NOSE - Rich, Bold Notes of Caramel, Honey and Dark Brown Sugar. Soft, Sweet Oak and Dark Fruits PALATE - Everything on the nose shines through on the palate and then more! The mouthfeel is thick and viscous with a mouth coating texture. This is an extremely well balanced bourbon. FINISH - Long. BUY? - If I actually found this at retail I may have to buy it. Due to its already high price however, I refuse to pay anymore than $30 over retail.