Of the six years I’ve covered Wild Turkey, I can’t think of a more eventful year than 2022. From barrel picks at the distillery, to press trips and a day spent as a camp instructor, I had the fortune of experiencing the brand from the inside out. I acc…
Last month, I participated in a press trip for the release of Russell’s Reserve Single Rickhouse. It may not surprise readers who know me, but up to that point I’d never attended a press trip. I suppose it’s the price you pay when your writing focus is…
On September 10, 1954, Jimmy Russell first punched the clock at the distillery that would become known as Wild Turkey. He hasn’t stopped. Today marks Jimmy Russell’s 68th year at Wild Turkey. Can you imagine working 68 years at the same job – at …
August 17, 2022 – Six inductees will join the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame next month in the first induction ceremony since 2019. The honorees were announced today, including the late Stephen Thompson of Kentucky Artisan Distillery, this year’s recipient of the Parker Beam Lifetime Achievement Award. Thompson passed away last year at the age of 79 following an accident. “He’s another one that everyone misses,” said Kentucky Distillers Association president Eric Gregory. “He was such a resource and an advocate for the craft distilleries…he had almost an encyclopedic knowledge of production facilities and what to do, and if you Read More »
In January 2018, I published my first “Wild Turkey Wish List.” I’m happy to report that four years later, another wish has been granted – the return of Wild Turkey 101 12-Year. After a ten-year hiatus that seemed like forever, the fan-favorite ex…
Bourbon liqueurs … you see them everywhere – cinnamon, maple, peach, cherry, etc. They’re so common and popular, you might think they’ve been around forever. But they haven’t. And little do most folks know, it all started with Jimmy Russell. Whil…
This week, Bruce Russel from https://www.wildturkeybourbon.com/ visited us at Jeptha Bend Farm. As Jim and I chatted with him, I wondered if he felt the pressure of continuing the legacy that his grandfather and father have built. He isn’t the first to be put in this position as, Jim Beam, Makers Mark, Heaven Hill
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Life is full of surprises. Cliché? Sure. But, true. I awoke at 4:00 AM excited for my Tuesday morning flight to Kentucky. As I hastily snoozed my alarm, I noticed my flight had been delayed by two hours. No worries. A quick rebook via Delta’s app and d…
The 25th episode of the Bourbon & Banter podcast – Wind Beneath My Wings – is now available for your listening and drinking pleasure. No, we’re not channeling our inner Bette Midler. But we might be channeling some gas from all the bullshit we’ve …
Some bottles I take for granted. For whatever reason – lack of excitement, greater attention to alternatives, or simply lost to the ever-increasing tide of new releases – I move on. Inevitably, regret kicks in. Not because of monetary…
