Here is the latest, but most significant offering from Wild Turkey Distillery – Russell’s Reserve 1998. While the bourbon was distilled in 1998, Master Distiller Jimmy Russell and his son Eddie Russell say that the bourbon inside the bottle was aged a total of 15 years and dumped only a couple of years ago. Designed by Eddie for his father, this particular liquid is the most complex and mature to be released under the Russell’s Reserve namesake – having spent its lifetime maturing in the distillery’s timber rickhouses and taken out of the barrels at the peak of its maturity.
The result is a magnificently matured 102.2 proof, non-chill filtered, golden amber Bourbon, with notes of dried apricots, pears and bananas and featuring hints of nutmeg and cinnamon. All of this has culminated in the Russell’s Reserve 1998 being the most expensive Wild Turkey released to-date.
With only 23 barrels of Bourbon bottled – the smallest batch ever under Jimmy and Eddie’s watch, Russell’s Reserve 1998 may become one of the most coveted releases ever bestowed upon the Bourbon community. Only 2,070 bottles will be available nationwide for a suggested retail price of $250.