Russell's Reserve Single Barrel "K&L Exclusive #19-0345" (Rickhouse CN F, Floor 6) Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Staff Reviews

WB

Will Blakely

Will Blakely

This expression proved the most difficult for me to classify, and that might make it the most interesting. Savory and unique, an indelible herbal note sets the tone. A persistent nose of yeast, like fine lees in wine, keeps my face glued to the edge of my glass as I try to discern the secret blend of herbs and spices that causes my mouth to water like this. Banana and its leaves, subtle paraffin, and Brazil nut pair seamlessly with sweet cereal and gentle chamomile. It's mind-boggling, but an exciting and intriguing challenge. Is that teak wood I smell? Walnut? Just when I think I've settled on something, it's gone, replaced by something equally enticing. I implore you to solve these mysteries for yourself.

Notes

This barrel is the outlier among this year's selection of Russell's Reserve. Unlike the other two, which were both distilled in December of 2009 and aged in Camp Nelson Warehouse A, this cask was distilled on November 13th of 2009 and spent nine years on the 6th floor of Warehouse F on the Camp Nelson campus. Like cask 439, this one was was bottled on June 29th of 2019. For whatever reason, it shows more of the earthy aromatics than the other casks. Still it remains very balanced, but is neither as sweet as 439 nor a spicy as 1108. Instead, the aromatic profile is very roasty, showing the Turkey's dark meat a bit here. Expect strong aromas of roasted vanilla and coffee bean, forest floor, sweet charred oak, leather and dried herbs. The palate is long and sweetens up enough to keep it from feeling harsh or austere. Some might argue that this is the best cask of the three, but it is simply a different side of Turkey that we happen to absolutely adore. We don't see that many casks that show this profile and when we do we snatch them up immediately.