Russell’s Reserve 2002 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Russell’s Reserve 2002 is the first non-chill filtered barrel proof bourbon released by the brand. The release is comprised of 25 barrels that had been aging in Wild Turkey’s offsite Camp Nelson rickhouses for 15 years. It’s a sequel to Russell’s Reserve 1998 with similar packaging. It’s also meant to pay homage to a milestone achieved this year: father-son master distillers Jimmy and Eddie Russell’s combined 101 years with Wild Turkey. Only 3,640 bottles were released to a total of 14 states: AZ, CA, FL, GA, IL, KY, NC, NV, NY, OH, OR, TN, TX, and WA.

Russell’s Reserve 2002 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Tasting Notes

Nose: Rich with honeyed oak, caramel, and vanilla forming the foundation. Seasoned wood and a splash of rye spice add dimension. 2002’s age is evident here, as the oak notes create the backbone, though it’s not overdone. The aromas are full in intensity, stripping away any dose of ethanol you might anticipate for the proof and making for a balanced and complex array of scents.

Palate: A pop of rye spice up front is followed by sweet notes of honey, caramel, and vanilla. Wood forms the base, with varying aspects of flavor - burnt wood, seasoned oak, and cigar box. Hints of leather and tobacco are also present. Notably, the rye spice up front carries through. While the flavors are a bit ad hoc, their overall complexity and depth make up for it. This results in a bold, interesting sip that’s punchy in its delivery of flavors, but also characteristically Wild Turkey.

Finish: Rye spice carries through, along with bouts of cinnamon spice. The sweeter caramel, honey, and vanilla notes also push into the finish, accompanied by an underlying array of oak. Spicy and long, the finish turns slightly dry towards the end. While it offers less complexity than the palate, it’s well executed overall.

Distillery Information

Wild Turkey is a brand of Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey distilled and bottled by the Wild Turkey Distilling Co, a division of Campari Group. The distillery is located near Lawrenceburg, Kentucky. It offers tours and is part of the American Whiskey Trail and the Kentucky Bourbon Trail.

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