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Review | Wild Turkey Jimmy Russell’s 70th Anniversary 8 years old

The American bourbon brand of Wild Turkey has released a special commemorative whiskey to celebrate the remarkable career of Jimmy Russell, the long-serving Master Distiller. This year marks the 70th anniversary since Russell began working at the distillery in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky on September 10 1954. His remarkable career includes establishing Wild Turkey as a global brand and being inducted into the Bourbon Hall of Fame.

The Wild Turkey Jimmy Russell's 70th Anniversary 8 years old features whiskeys of 8- and 9-years of age that were hand-selected by son Eddie Russell and grandson Bruce Russell, who both work at the distillery in senior positions, from Jimmy's favourite rickhouses.

The Wild Turkey distillery is in the town of Lawrenceburg in the famous whiskey making state of Kentucky. The origins date from the Ripy family in the late-1860s and 1870s and there are a couple of stories regarding the name - one is because it was built on Wild Turkey Hill and the other regards a story about a former employee. He used to go on an annual turkey hunt with and took whiskey from the distillery with him. In the following year they asked him to bring more of "that wild turkey whiskey" and the Wild Turkey brand was introduced shortly afterwards.

The brand was one of the most popular bourbon brands before Prohibition, but the distillery was forced to close during that period. However, it was one of the first to reopen after Prohibition and this helped to establish Wild Turkey as a leading American whiskey brand. It is currently owned by Gruppo Campari, who took control in 2009.

The Wild Turkey Jimmy Russell's 70th Anniversary 8 years old is bottled at 101 Proof (50.5% ABV) and the bottle features Russell's signature. The bourbon is available in the USA and selected international markets in limited numbers. A bottle will cost US$50.

Our Tasting Notes

The colour is deep coppery gold and the nose is packed with aromas of vanilla and toffee, plus burnt orange and the match that lit it. Further aromas of golden syrup, honey and milk chocolate mingle with warming oak spices (think of cinnamon, mace and clove) and hints of cherry, marzipan and old cigar box.

On the palate this whisky has a lovely mouth feel and plenty of honey and vanilla notes to begin with - think of fresh vanilla pod especially. There are also notes of sweet marzipan and glace cherry with some preserved bitter orange, icing sugar and golden syrup. Then come some toasted nuts - imagine almond, hazelnut and brazils. In the background there is a slightly flinty and mineralic vibe that is reminiscent of wet pebbles or stones. This is followed by hints of cocoa powder and something grassy and hay-like. Some drying oaky spice and a cinnamon stick appear at the end.

The finish is long and increasingly dry, woody and hot. The sweet golden syrup and honey-like characteristics fade after time and this leaves the toasted nuts and drying wood spices to come to the fore. Some later fruitiness also evolves with the bitter orange and glace cherry again coming through well.

What's The Verdict?

This is a lovely limited edition from Wild Turkey and one that is great for such a great occasion. The lovely and sympathetic use of old casks have given a lovely aroma and flavour profile that balances the sweet, fruity and spicy elements well. This is a proper sip and savour bourbon - that's exactly what you should do with this. It is absolutely delicious.

Russell’s Reserve Goes To Camp

Russell’s Reserve Bourbon goes to Camp Nelson B – the third entry in their Single Rickhouse series – and the highest ABV Russell’s Reserve has released to date at a whopping 60.1% [120.2 proof] alcohol by volume. The 2024 release comes from Camp Nelson Rickhouse B is claimed to have benefited from higher elevation and […]

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Russell’s Reserve’s Single Rickhouse Camp Nelson B Bourbon is bottled at 60.1% alcohol by volume [120.2 proof] and is said to offer notes of cinnamon, cherry and clove.

Russell’s Reserve Single Rickhouse Camp Nelson B Bourbon is being made available for $300 per bottle in limited quantities at select retailers and the visitor center in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky.

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Today Dalmore

Dalmore 16 yo 2006/2023 (47.6%, The Auld Alliance & Lucky Choice, oloroso sherry hogshead, cask #7, 146 bottles)
Dalmore 1996/2023 (46.3%, Malts of Scotland, Rare Casks, bourbon hogshead, cask #MoS 23007, 227 bottles)
Dalmore 2006/2024 (47…

Dalmore 16 yo 2006/2023 (47.6%, The Auld Alliance & Lucky Choice, oloroso sherry hogshead, cask #7, 146 bottles)

Dalmore 1996/2023 (46.3%, Malts of Scotland, Rare Casks, bourbon hogshead, cask #MoS 23007, 227 bottles)

Dalmore 2006/2024 (47.2%, OB, Select Edition, bourbon + Matusalem and amoroso sherry casks)

Dalmore 2009/2024 (48.9%, OB, Select Edition, bourbon + Matusalem and Port casks)

A wee selection of Jura whiskies of the highest quality

Jura 16 yo ‘Perspective No.01’ (46.5%, OB, bourbon + oloroso, 2024)
Jura 1989/2023 (47%, S Spirits Shop Selection, hogshead, cask #1113, 259 bottles)
Isle of Jura 30 yo 1994/2024 (46%, Whisky Sponge, Decadent Drinks, refill hog…

Jura 16 yo ‘Perspective No.01’ (46.5%, OB, bourbon + oloroso, 2024)

Jura 1989/2023 (47%, S Spirits Shop Selection, hogshead, cask #1113, 259 bottles)

Isle of Jura 30 yo 1994/2024 (46%, Whisky Sponge, Decadent Drinks, refill hogshead, 203 bottles)

Jura 16 yo 2006/2023 (54.2%, Whisky Age, cask #8001643, barrel, 214 bottles)

Isle of Jura 10 yo 2014/2024 (55.6%, Maltbarn, bourbon cask, 263 bottles)

Four Branches Founders Blend Bourbon Review

By Doug Fraser Rating: A- Four Branches Founders Blend Bourbon is the result of a culmination of four prior US service members from the four major branches of the US Military (i.e. not the Space Force). The bourbon represents those four branches–Army, Air Force, Marines, Navy–with the intent to be enjoyed by all while still …

By Doug Fraser

Rating: A-

Four Branches Founders Blend Bourbon(Credit: Four Branches Bourbon

Four Branches Founders Blend Bourbon is the result of a culmination of four prior US service members from the four major branches of the US Military (i.e. not the Space Force). The bourbon represents those four branches–Army, Air Force, Marines, Navy–with the intent to be enjoyed by all while still giving you that Kentucky kiss of a a four-grain bourbon. That quadruplet is Michael Trott, Alfredo Franco, Robert Casey, and Harold Underwood. They say their ethos is born from the warrior spirit, honoring the fallen and supporting the families left behind. Four Branches actively serve veterans and families of veterans.

The Bourbon
Four Branches Bourbon is a four-grain bourbon with a mash bill of 65% corn, 15% rye, 10% malted barley, and 10% wheat. Four Branches bourbon is bottled at 96 proof.

Color: Light Gold

The nose immediately starts with some vanilla and oakiness. It then opens up to some warm baking spices, oats or grain, corn, and orange citrus. On the palate, there is more vanilla along with baking spices, graham crackers, oats, and corn sweetness. The finish is medium in length with more notes of oak, corn, and subtle baking spices.

The Price
Four Branches Founders Blend Bourbon can be found for $88 USD.

Barrell Bourbon Ice Wine Cask Finished Bourbon Review

If Grace Kelly could come back as an elegant whiskey, this would be it. If you could liquify gold and consume it, this is how it should taste. It’s 14 karat color backs my strained metaphor.

BOTTLE DETAILS

DISTILLER: Unnamed sources from Kentucky, Indiana, Tennessee and Wyoming.
MASH BILL: Barrell has computed a "derived mash bill " for all 11 whiskies, which is 71% Corn, 24% Rye, 4% Malted Barley, and 1% Wheat.
AGE: 5 years, though whiskies as old as 15 years are in the blend
YEAR: 2024
PROOF: 106.52 (53.25% ABV)
MSRP: $89.99
BUY ONLINE: Barrell Bourbon Store Locator

STEVE'S NOTES

SHARE WITH: Any whiskey lover, especially those who will enjoy the surprise of a 106 proof sipper that drinks much softer. Share also with anyone who might enjoy a bang-up example of smart cask finishing.

WORTH THE PRICE: Seeing as I've tasted nothing else like it on the market, I'll say yes.

BOTTLE, BAR OR BUST: Bar since $90 might make you wince, but you'd not be mad if you bought it. Seeing as my press sample will surely disappear, I'll be happy to find it for $90.

OVERALL: This liquid was created either with amazing precision or incredible luck. Knowing the skill level of the team members at Barrell, I'll credit them. In the blend are six whiskies from Indiana (5-11 years), two from Kentucky (5 and 8 years), two from Tennessee (9 and 15 years) and one from Wyoming (9 years). The opportunity to create a muddied mess of fractionalized flavors was certainly there, but the opposite is what this bottle delivers.

This is a terrific pour, a first-rate example of blenders demonstrating how well they understand the components of many individual whiskies and then blending them to a degree that benefits the whole immensely–and using a unique ice wine barrel.

If Grace Kelly could come back as an elegant whiskey, this would be it. If you could liquify gold and consume it, this is how it should taste. It's 14 karat color backs my strained metaphor.

It's not immediately arresting on the nose. You have to wait to detect softer aromas of golden raisin, pastry cream and baked pastry. But don't wait on it. It's safe to really stick that proboscis into the glass. Immediately, you'll be rewarded with sparkling Riesling, fresh pineapple, lemon oil and spring flowers.

I've had good ice wine only a handful of times, and I've never forgotten that vivid grape character created by letting grapes remain on the vine until they're nearly frozen. That rarity and richness of such concentrated flavors are front and center here, so much so that I forget about the bourbons that make this warming and comforting. That sweetness and silken texture given by the barrel are welcome distractions from the whiskey.

The ice wine cask delivers up more goodies than expected–far more than so many used and underwhelming casks contribute–to create a delicious, fully rounded whole. I expected subtlety and instead got weighty mouthfeel, buoyant fruit and beautiful acidity on the finish. With all the whiskies in this mix, I'm astonished that it retains so much ice wine fruit character.

BRAND NOTES

Making an exceptional ice wine requires optimal conditions and great care throughout the entire winemaking process. The BCS blending team took the same meticulous approach in carefully selecting barrels and creating a blend of mashbills and ages to harmonize with the intense sweetness, rich texture, and lively acidity of the ice wine. The resulting bourbon is bright and complex, with a rich body, and notes of stone fruit and white chocolate.

The whiskey opens with a bouquet of fresh flowers and a fruit cocktail of strawberry, melon and white peach. The freshness is met with rich notes of iced caramel latte, white chocolate and honey toast, then evolves into sweeter and more savory profile with beeswax, kettle corn, ginger and hazelnut.

Nose: Opens with a bouquet of fresh flowers and a fruit cocktail of strawberry, melon and white peach. The freshness is met with rich notes of iced caramel latte, white chocolate and honey toast, then evolves into sweeter and more savory profile with beeswax, kettle corn, ginger and hazelnut

Palate: The palate instantly coats your mouth with sweet honey notes integrated with savory white pepper and toasted baguette. Golden raisin, apricot and white chocolate macadamia cookies permeate the midpalate with a richness that unites with notes of affogato, ginger, Brazil nuts and coconut

Finish: White pepper, beeswax, hazelnut, ginger, apricot and coconut.

Disclaimer: Bourbon & Banter received a sample of this product from the brand for review. We appreciate their willingness to allow us to review their products with no strings attached. Thank you.

The History Of Daviess County Distillery

Owensboro has a rich heritage of distilling in Kentucky. They are known today for the Green River and Glenmore Distilleries, but in the 19th century, they also had the Daviess County Distillery. In 1873, Richard Monarch founded the Daviess County… Co…

Knob Creek 18 Year Old 2024 Now Headed Our Way

A relative newcomer to the Autumn American Whiskey Season, when most of the eagerly anticipated annual releases in bourbon and rye come out, is Knob Creek 18 Year Old. This ultra-aged expression of Knob Creek (and thus Jim Beam) bourbon was first introduced in 2022. Aged for twice as long as the standard Knob Creek and still bottled at 100 proof, it contradicts the naysayers who think American bourbon is trending downwards towards ever lower ages. The 2024 batch will be priced at $174.99

From Scotland to California: John Campbell’s New Journey

John Campbell has long been regarded as one of Scotland’s best distillers, but he shocked the whisky world this week by leaving Scotland to join… Read More

John Campbell has long been regarded as one of Scotland’s best distillers, but he shocked the whisky world this week by leaving Scotland to join the tiny Sespe Creek Distillery in Oxnard, California. He’ll explain why he’s making the move to distill Sespe Creek’s Warbringer Bourbon in his first interview since moving to California on this week’s WhiskyCast In-Depth. In the news, Sweden’s Mackmyra Distillery has been bought out of bankruptcy, while Diageo is looking at options for a new Talisker Distillery on the Isle of Skye.

Episode 1078: October 13, 2024

Images courtesy Sespe Creek Distillery.

Nikka Nine Decades – A Whisky Glass of Historic Flavors

There are more than 150 components of whiskies in Nikka Nine Decades, including old malts from Yoichi Distillery and Miyagikyo Distillery, new grain whiskies from Moji, Satsumastukasa, and matured grain whiskies from Nishinomiya. “The number of whiskies accumulated since the establishment of the company is tremendous, with an age gap of nearly 90 years,” chief […]

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“The number of whiskies accumulated since the establishment of the company is tremendous, with an age gap of nearly 90 years,” chief whisky blender Hiromi Ozaki said.

“I selected whiskies with outstanding characteristics among our reserves for this blend, pursuing the optimal balance from a broader view, to achieve an overall harmony with a rich sense of breadth and depth.”

Nikka Nine Decades Marks 90 years of Whisky

Nikka Nine Decades

There are 4,000 bottles of Nikka Nine Decades available worldwide and 400 are released in the US. The expression shows notes of apple pie, raisins, subtle smoke, and nostalgic antique furniture aromas on the nose. It has mellow oak, cinnamon, roasted nuts, and a peaty bitter finish on the palate. The spirit was bottled at 48% ABV, making it a strong flavor.

The bottle form was introduced with the launch of The Nikka 40-year-old, during the brand’s 80th anniversary, in 2014. It was created using the Edo-bori glass carving method, an ancient Japanese method that evolved from Western sandblasting.

“This is a unique whisky that encompasses the passion, pioneer spirit, craftsmanship, delights, and struggles within Nikka,” whisky global business strategy education and PR leader Emiko Kaji said.

“We are incredibly grateful for all of those who have supported Nikka over the past 90 years including our loyal customers, trusted partners, and dedicated team behind the supply chain and distribution. We hope that this exceptional whisky will create unforgettable moments for whisky enthusiasts around the world.”

Earlier this year, Nikka’s parent company, Asahi Group, purchased Never Never Distilling Co. To celebrate Nikka’s anniversary, Nikka will be hosting a two-night pop-up at Martiny’s in New York featuring the staff from Bee’s Knees in Japan.

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