When it comes to single barrel products, I imagine most people start by trying as many different brands as possible before narrowing down their preferences and sticking to a handful of names. To that end, one of the most dependable for me has been Russell’s Reserve. What’s interesting is that most single barrel picks you see these days are bottled uncut and unfiltered, but Russell’s Reserve only checks one of those boxes. It’s hardly a bizarre occurrence; Heaven Hill, Buffalo Trace, Barton 1792, and Jim Beam offer barrel picks that forgo being bottled at cask strength. Yet what makes it more interesting is that Wild Turkey doesn’t offer in-house barrel picks that come in at cask strength.

Regardless, the 55% ABV proof point of Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel is a great bottling strength, especially for someone like me who’s settled on 105-115 generally being my preferred proof range. It also helps that Wild Turkey utilizes a lower barrel entry proof (115) for their whiskey, so it’s likely that little water is added prior to bottling.

In my previous review of a Russell’s pick, I briefly mentioned how group picks are often gobbled up (pun intended), thanks in no small part to their online availability and effectively nationwide access. This is where finding local picks comes into the picture. Or, if you’re like me, your local picks almost strictly amounts to Total Wine picks, unless you feel like traveling or ordering from stores at least an hour away. For a while, my Total Wine sat on barrel picks of Russell’s Reserve that came from the revered Camp Nelson F. I managed to nurse a pick that was bottled in 2020 until just recently, so let’s see what my final impressions were.

Nose: Cherry, Caramel, Vanilla, Orange

Sweet, Warm, Rich

Palate: Cherry, Vanilla, Raspberry, Acai

Syrupy, Medicinal, Leathery

Finish: Dark Brown Sugar, Toffee, Vanilla, Tobacco

Moderate, Oaky, Creamy

If this pick is any indication, then it’s easy to see why Camp Nelson F is so highly regarded, even to non-Turkey fans. The profile leans into fruity, confectionary desserts (bordering on saccharine) more than the comparatively common baking spice flavors I get in modern Turkey. I’d liken the profile a bit to an above-standard Buffalo Trace product, albeit with slightly more balance. Some modern Turkey products can give off an inexplicable “funk,” for lack of a better word, which this pick has to a certain degree. I don’t mind it, but I wouldn’t say it’s an experience I’d seek out when choosing a barrel/bottle.