Russell’s Reserve picks are basically favorites for Wild Turkey enthusiasts. While it’s tough to deny how much of a measuring stick Wild Turkey 101 is, as well as the older and higher proof Rare Breed, Russell’s picks are still the best way people can explore different rickhouses from the Kentucky distillery. Although Kentucky Spirit is similarly positioned from an exploration standpoint, its lower proof, chill filtration, and marginally lower price point make it a tough sell by comparison.

Unlike the Russell’s Reserve shelfers, barrel picks come with some actual information for people to parse, such as age, barrel number, and location. This makes comparing and verifying one’s preferred barrels and rickhouses much easier than deciphering faint, tucked away laser codes that feel about as intuitive as looking up codes for expiration dates on everyday consumables. The first Russell’s barrel pick I’m reviewing came from Inlet Harbour Liquor, which I briefly touched on in my Old Forester Single Barrel Barrel Strength Bourbon review. The back label information for this pick is as follows:

Distilled: 10/28/2011

Dumped: 10/28/2020

Bottled: 11/30/20

Barrel 20-0898

Warehouse S, Floor 5

Nose: Surprisingly Beam-like; this is a nutty Turkey profile. Cinnamon, nutmeg, and fresh roasted peanuts with a strong, oaky backdrop. Hints of brown butter slip through the barrage of nuts and wood (hush). Comes across dry with barely a trace of buttery sweetness. Brightens up after sipping with traces of orange zest and an oddly metallic essence.

Palate: Thankfully comes across as more buttery than the nose lets on, but still fairly nutty. Caramel, almond butter, and light brown sugar. Warm with a medium viscosity. I get an overbaked Reese’s pie on subsequent sips. Fairly dry and tannic after three sips.

Finish: Some drying oak with a seasoning quality, bringing notes of cinnamon, nutmeg, and generously toasted coconut flakes. The baking spice personality is strong if a bit broad in nature.

Talk about a curveball. Although some Turkey products, namely the two Russell’s Reserve bourbon shelfers, exude a nutty personality, it’s usually kept in-check by other flavors forming the core Wild Turkey profile most of us are accustomed to. However, this pick is quite the nutty bugger. The profile honestly reminds me more of Booker’s than Turkey, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing (I love me a good batch of Booker’s). Turkey bottlings that seem off-profile compared to modern bottlings can also be fun and exciting, evidenced by the original Master’s Keep and Forgiven releases. Yet even after having this pick for nearly three years, I still find myself at odds with it.

On one hand, the nutty and woody notes lend this Russell’s selection a distinct association with rickhouses, which is normally a sign of a great whiskey in my book. To a degree, it realizes this potential by bringing a slightly buttery personality on the palate. However, the follow-through falls short in favor of a dry, baking spice-ridden finish. This reiterates my Booker’s association, except I’d argue that the higher age statement offers the Russell’s pick more depth and complexity. Great though that may be, it’s not quite what I look for when pouring a Turkey product. Put another way, it’s simply a bottle I appreciate far more than I enjoy.