End of an Era: Bourbon’s Best Kept Secret in Exclusive K&L Bottlings – American Whiskey News
“These Russell’s single barrels might be the most important whiskies on the market today…These are truly the swan song of that special place, but no one seems to even be talking about it.” —David Othenin-Girard, K&L Spirits Buyer
This is about as far as your money can go in Bourbon – truly unique, exceedingly rare, full of depth and character, and a taste that will rival all the elusive cult-level bottlings at multiples of the price. All of these exclusives are one-off opportunities, a piece of history, and simply some of the most exciting things on our shelves in any category. Few Bourbons we’ve carried over the years have elicited the kind of acclaim and enthusiasm of our Russell’s singles, and this new crop echoes that loudly.
Coming from the now-extinct Old Ripy distillery, these are hand-selected gems that each have their own unique and compelling profile. Each deserves a spot on your shelf at home, but there’s something for every palate – finding which one speaks to you is half of the adventure, but it will be nearly impossible to be disappointed in any of them. What they have in common is that they are intense, complex, head-turning Bourbons of the highest caliber:
#320 (Rickhouse K, 5th Floor) – this is old school to the core, it is a remarkably aromatic and ethereal on the nose and ultra rich on the palate. The combination of power and grace in this #320 is striking.
#428 (Rickhouse M, 4th Floor) – brilliant, pure, and bright fruit add to a rich core. There’s tons of cherry, maple, and vanilla. It is a powerhouse, but still full of character. For those that skip their dessert for a whiskey, this is the one.
#17-314 (Rickhouse B, 6th Floor) – lots of holiday flavors (cinnamon, nutmeg) make this one almost festive, but also compelling in a way that’s landed it as one of many of our team’s favorites of the lots. A great balance between the two above, but unique all the same
#17-092 (Rickhouse B, 5th Floor) – this one relies on some compelling savory notes followed by beautiful honeyed and toffee flavors. It is a slightly roasty, deeply flavored Bourbon that hits the low notes and has immense structure that leads to a nearly endless finish.
Tasting these next to each other just makes each one shine that much more. But lacking that, make sure you grab a few while they’re still available. Few whiskies we carry garner such immediate adoration – make sure to find out what the excitement is all about before these singluar bottles are sold out.
The legacy and history of the Wild Turkey brand is one of the most interesting in Kentucky. But what sets the whiskies apart from all the rest is a commitment to quality that few in the industry can match. This commitment is the result of one family’s influence on the brand, the namesake for this special bottle. They were there when an marketing exec at Austin Nichols distribution coined the name Wild Turkey bourbon during a hunting trip in 1940. They were there when Austin Nichols ultimately acquired the old distillery (built in 1891) to give the Wild Turkey brand a home. They were there for multiple changes in ownership as the industry consolidated. They insisted on proper sour mashing, lower distillation and entry proof, on natural aging in traditional rickhouses. The Russell’s have their way of making bourbon and that’s why this whisky is so good. We happen to think their way is better (and we know it’s a lot more expensive). It also represents the final stocks from the place that made the Russell’s what they are today. The old plant was torn down in 2010 and soon we will not be able to offer any products distilled there. While the new plant continues to produce top tier bourbon, but there’s no doubt that this piece of history is something to be cherished. Hopefully people realize how cherished these bourbons should be while they enjoy them like Jimmy intended. This cask was distilled on Nov 25th of ’08 and aged on the 5th floor of Rickhouse B. Bottled in late 2017.
Andrew Whiteley | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: November 08, 2018
Our current selection of Russell’s barrels allows everyone who has ever thought “I’d sure love to travel to distilleries and pick and choose barrels of whiskey” to pull back the curtain and experience the job of K&L Spirits Buyer for themselves. Imagine being presented with dozens of barrels and trying to choose your favorite one. Occasionally the differences are subtle. Sometimes they are impossible to miss. We found so many great barrels at Wild Turkey that we couldn’t say no to the opportunity to buy them since we knew there was something for every bourbon drinker. #092 opens with generous caramel and toffee sweetness and progresses into a more savory realm of woody garden herbs, tobacco, and leather. The finish carries on and expands into cracked pepper and grilled fruits.
David Othenin-Girard | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: October 31, 2018
The Russell’s Reserve stuff seems to be one of those ultra high quality amazing brands that the geeks get, but the greater public hasn’t really began to appreciate just how special they are. If I were a collector rather than a drinker of Bourbon, I’d be loading up on the Russell’s right now because these represent the last stocks of the old distillery. Yes the brand will continue to exist without even the tiniest hiccup, but for those who really understand they’ll know they’re drinking a piece of history. Cask #17-092 was selected last year and only arriving now. It’s from the same warehouse as 17-314 but distilled 5 days earlier and racked one floor below. The nose is a heady mixture of rich nutty nougat, big earthy forest floor, wild cherries and exotic spices. The palate is brimming with deep baked apple spice, wild honey, dark cacao and roasted coffee notes. Beautiful length with a finish that continues for ages, this one is perfect for those who LOVE the darker toastier flavors that bourbon can sometimes exhibit.
Ryan Moses | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: November 09, 2018
Our Russell’s single barrel exclusives have been the best Bourbons I’ve tasted at K&L in the past three years. They also have an indelible impact on those I’ve shared it with. They’re that good, and each barrel seems to be good for a different reason. Finding yours is half the fun. #092 is a bit more deeply pitched on the nose with burnt caramel and spice. It starts soft but just keeps building exponentially on the palate with waves of spice and toasty oak. The fruit shows up at the end as the complex flavors last for a minute-plus. This is a masterclass on structure and nuance.
Jackson Lee | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: November 10, 2018
Few bourbons have the prowess to stave off tasting in lieu of continually nosing, either out of bewilderment, impressiveness, or nostalgia- or all of the above. This barreling of Russells did exactly that. Sitting at my desk, I took in the aromas and let the esters bombard my olfactory epithelium, which flooded my brain with serotonin. Warm, pleasant, and inviting, opulent notes of caramel and chocolate brownies, baked apples, and oak and leather navigated my nasal cavity, putting me in a pleasant haze. When I was finally ready to taste this fragrant dram, juicy apples, brown sugar, blue raspberry Jolly Ranchers, and lemon curd announced their arrival. As the main players began to recede, a small chuckle escaped. A flavor that brought me back to going out to diners with my parents decided to linger: Shirley Temple. By the time my glass was empty and my analysis complete, worries and annoyances from the day evaporated with the last of the cask strength vapors escaping from the glass.
This cask was distilled on Nov 20th of ’08 and aged on the 6th floor of Rickhouse B. Bottled in late 2017.
David Othenin-Girard | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: October 31, 2018
Part of what’s so incredible about tasting all the Russell’s single barrels side by side is that you find incredible diversity among them why easily identifying a core DNA that makes them unmistakably Wild Turkey. That’s of course the result of the incredible care and detail that the distillery takes with each barrel and a testament to the complexity of this special product. There’s also something cool about tasting them all at the same proof, which is only a couple of degrees off the full cask strength (not the only reason you should buy one of each of these excellent casks). This awesome whiskey was distilled just 5 days after 17-092 and stored in the same warehouse, but couldn’t be more different. This one is pure cinnamon spice – a real Christmas bomb! The sweet candy corn and bright woodsy quality balanced out the hot cinnamon candy on the nose, but it comes right back on the palate. If you grew up loving Red Hots this is the perfect whisky for you. A total fireball and the hottest spiciest Russell’s we have right now.
Andrew Whiteley | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: November 08, 2018
This barrel tastes just like Christmas to me. A constant stream of cinnamon, nutmeg, baked bread, pie crusts, and some savory earthy herbs going on in the kitchen. It’s raging hot and sweet spice and leaves no questions as to how WT got the nickname Kickin’ Chicken. If you had to pin me down for a favorite Russell’s barrel in our current stock, it’s this one. It’s the gift this year for every bourbon loving family member I have.
Ryan Moses | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: November 09, 2018
Our Russell’s single barrel exclusives have been the best Bourbons I’ve tasted at K&L in the past three years. They also have an indelible impact on those I’ve shared it with. They’re that good, and each barrel seems to be good for a different reason. Finding yours is half the fun. #314 is gentle soft, elegant, and deep, but then ends incredibly spicy with tons of cinnamon, burnt orange, and a textured mouthfeel. This is one for those that like the powerful side of things, although with a touch of water there’s depth to spare behind that brawn.
Illya Haase | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: November 06, 2018
Russels Barrel 17-314 was a stand out for me. I am splitting hairs because they are all exceptionally distinct, but 314 had me at the nose: intoxicating wood spice, subtle cinnamon, and charred vanilla bean. The front palate was soft, but had a great complexity, with a pop of caramel, vanilla and toffee. Mid palate opens with a burst of red hot candies, baking spice, and cloves. The finish has a great balance with honey and cinnamon notes that will warm you for ages. Its hot and high in alcohol, but in the best possible way! This will be a great go to on those long winter nights!
Jackson Lee | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: November 10, 2018
Despite being at cask strength I found this expression to be quite approachable on the nose, giving off notes of spiced caramel apples, apricots, sweet leather and pencil shavings- a great bottle to enjoy by the mantle during the holiday season. On the palate, a red berry medley opened while black cherry and sarsaparilla showed up soon after. Lingering oak notes were the last to the party yet didnt seem to stick around for very long.
The stupendous Russell’s Reserve Single barrels are without a doubt the most underrated treasure on our shelves. The represent the history of old school bourbon production and the incredible history of the Wild Turkey brand and their incredible stewards over the decades, the Russell family. But what most people don’t realize (mostly because Wild Turkey doesn’t really want to talk about it) are that these bourbons are from a distillery that was torn down nearly 10 years ago. They represent some of the last stocks of the old wooden plant that was first built by Thomas Ripy in 1891. Old Ripy, Old Hickory or The Boulevard Distillery was that special place where Jimmy Russell worked when Wild Turkey/Austin Nichols bought the distillery 1971. Nothing about the old distillery itself made for better bourbon, but there’s no doubt that the bourbon made there was some of the very best. The people and the committment to quality are what set it apart. These casks represent the end of an era, one that no one seems to know or realize is even gone. Also the taste absolutely spectacular! This stellar cask was selected by us WAY BACK in August of 2016. We were incredibly lucky to have had Mr. Jimmy Russell himself out to the warehouse with us. We hadn’t realized, but two of those barrels got lost in the suppliers warehouse for nearly TWO years. This incredible whisky was distilled on January 24th 2007 and aged in on the 5th floor of warehouse K. It was bottled in late 2016.
Andrew Whiteley | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: November 08, 2018
Exotic and beguiling. Cask #320 is packed with brewers spices, varnish, fresh herbs, and caramel galore. With a huge presence on the palate this barrel will stand up in the most complex cocktails or any additions of water or ice. It’s insanely enjoyable neat and doesn’t possess a hard edge. Just big, rich, and round bourbon to delight. If you want a taste of the past, this is the bottle. It’ll remind you that they just don’t make ’em like they used to.
David Othenin-Girard | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: October 31, 2018
I’m going to keep saying this over and over, but Russell’s Single barrels might be the most important whiskies on the market today. The people who make it don’t like to talk about the fact that these are the last stocks from the special Old Ripy distillery before it was torn down because they built a beautiful shiny new distillery in its place, but that does not mean we should not appreciate the quality of what once existed and lament the lose of something historical and special. I’m sure the new distillery will continue to offer great single barrels, but they will never be the same as these special casks. Barrel #320 was one of the two lost in the warehouse for nearly 2 years after being selected on site with the illustrious Jimmy Russell back in 2016. A huge contrast to the bold peppery 428, this barrel exhibits an absolutely intoxicating aroma of exotic wood, thuja, earthy forest floor, red fruit preserves, caramelized sugar, and old leather. The ultra savory nose is totally contrasted by one of the softest entries of any WT I’ve ever seen. No kick no bite just ultra rich texture and sweet wood and toffee on the front palate. As it builds in the mouth we start to pick up more spice and what ultimately seemed like it was going to be a total sugar bomb dries right up. This one is a real dream and has that old school bourbon quality that’s so hard to find these days.
Jackson Lee | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: November 10, 2018
Tasting through these cask selections was like running down a line of my good friends, all holding up their hands for a high five; each one eliciting a slightly different sensation but the fun and excitement only building with the next. No two were the same yet they shared similarities that were undeniable and extraordinary.The aromas coming from the glass seemed to push their way past the fumes of this cask strength whiskey. Sweet oaky notes hurried out of the glass, followed closely by leather and straw, making me feel like I should be in an old, dusty bar in the days of the Wild West. Fruitier notes then started to creep up, giving off a perfectly ripe yellow peach, which then transformed into candy corn and chocolate powder. My first sip materialized me on a old oak porch, somewhere in the south of the U.S. looking out onto a serene countryside as the sun set. Flavors of stone fruits, raspberry slushy and toasted brown sugar distinctly meandered across the palate, slowly fading into fruit punch with apple slices and fruit chews. If youre looking for a nice, sipping bourbon to relax with on your rocking chair at dusk, look no further. Actually, I take that back- if you want a damn good bourbon anywhere, anytime, pick this up.
Ryan Moses | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: November 09, 2018
Our Russell’s single barrel exclusives have been the best Bourbons I’ve tasted at K&L in the past three years. They also have an indelible impact on those I’ve shared it with. They’re that good, and each barrel seems to be good for a different reason. Finding yours is half the fun. #320 leads spicy but mellows out to deep caramels, deep red fruit, and rebounding cinnamon spice. The texture is terrific and it finishes extremely long with hints of vanilla echoing at the end. This is one that will find lots of friends and has a bit of everything.
This wonderful specimen was distilled on October 11th 2007 and aged on the 4th Floor or Rickhouse M. It was bottled in late 2016.
Andrew Whiteley | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: November 08, 2018
Noticeably sweet and fruity in comparison to the other Russell’s barrels in stock. A neat glass of this feels like you’ve already mixed a Manhattan. That brandied cherry note is balanced by a complex dance of coffee and chocolate dance. It’s a perfect dessert bourbon. If you can’t decide between pulling a fresh shot of espresso, a piece of cake, or a drink, pour one of these and feel like you’re enjoying all three. An excellent nightcap.
David Othenin-Girard | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: October 31, 2018
I’ve stated on multiple occasions my belief that the Russell’s Single barrels represent some of the most exciting and underappreciated products on our shelves. Not only is Wild Turkey committed to making a higher quality product, these bourbons are distilled at a historic distillery that was demolished nearly 10 years ago. Since these whiskies are about 10 years old, we’re unlikely to ever see single barrels from that special distillery again. These are truly the swan song of that special place, but no one seems to even be talking about it. A modern day Stitzel-Weller in my book – I’m glad we bought everything we could when we had the chance. Barrel 428 was selected way back in 2016 when Driscoll and I had the extreme pleasure of opening barrels in Rickhouse K with Jimmy Russell himself. In some insane twist of fate this barrel and #320 were lost in the distributors warehouse for more than two years before popping up with our subsequent batch of casks. 428 has a big nose of candied cherries, fresh tanned hide, dusty dried herbs and sweet tea. The palate is big bold and spicy! The old kickin’ chicken gets right at it, with a ton of white pepper, dried earthy oak, roasted vanilla bean and hints of candied cinnamon(redhots). The finish sweets up a bit with some softer maple character balancing the intensity of the palate. A big bold biter for people who like to fight a bit with their bourbon.
Ryan Moses | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: November 09, 2018
Our Russell’s single barrel exclusives have been the best Bourbons I’ve tasted at K&L in the past three years. They also have an indelible impact on those I’ve shared it with. They’re that good, and each barrel seems to be good for a different reason. Finding yours is half the fun. #428 leads with massively powerful aromatics of that have hints of baking chocolate and barrel char, but the palate shows mellow fruit (grilled pineapple/stonefruit) before picking up again to a spice-lined finish. It is remarkably complex and changing and is for those who want to take their time with it.
Jackson Lee | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: November 10, 2018
The second of four barrels to entice me into nosing the glass a bit longer than I normally would, this barrel has rich aromatics of candied orange peel and chocolate with black cherry and (mostly) the torched sugar of crème brulee. The texture of this bourbon added another dimension to the flavor profile, and once again, I was reminded of a childhood drink, the Roy Rogers. Red cherries, cola, and black plum elicited memories of going out to dinner with my parents and feeling rebellious for ordering a (n.a.) drink named after someone. The finish on this one was loooooong with orchard fruits (pears/nectarines/apples) rooting for me to go back in for another taste.
