Russell's Rivalry (Round 2)! Russell's Reserve 10 Year & Russell's Reserve 13 Year (LL/KE) Review

Background

Last time I reviewed Russell’s Reserve 13, much of the focus was on its scarcity. Harken back to January of 2022 with me. This fresh faced release placed #1 on Fred Minnick’s “Best of 2021” list, sending the secondary market into a feeding frenzy (I believe this peaked at around $450 a bottle? Somewhere in that range). The thesis of that review was essentially “So you can't get RR13… should you just drink Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel?” And yes, Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel rules! Since that review I’ve tasted about ~5 different single barrel bottles (a mix of picks and off the shelf) before finding another bottle of 13. They are consistently delicious and hold a special place in my heart and on my shelf.
 

Now here we are, a fresh bottle of Russell’s Reserve 13 obtained, it’s time to revisit it. Candidly, there’s not a lot of intent to analyze Russell’s Reserve 10 year as a replacement option for 13 as the proof points are totally different. But, just like when I reviewed the Single Barrel, the 10 year is also an offering I’ve neglected to review due to its availability. I’ll get around to it, the proof is a little low, I’m still crushing all these tasty single barrels, etc.

Russell’s Reserve 10 Year (10 Years, 90 Proof)

Nose: Delicate, floral and cherry forward. Hints of oak, vanilla, and caramel. A classic bourbon nose, if a bit muted.

Palate: Again delicate florals and cherry (almost the blossoms more than the fruit) lead the way alongside cinnamon and nutmeg. Some nougat as well.

Finish: Oak and baking spices, hints of caramel, surprisingly long for 90 proof.

Good (5/10)

Overall: It’s a good whiskey, it is. Wild Turkey just has some many options though, and so many at higher proof points that pack more flavor that it’s hard for me to justify this. This might be controversial but I like modern 101 a little better! Just a smidge admittedly, but it’s got a touch more punch. If I’m going for an off the shelf Turkey offering I’m reaching for a Russell’s Single Barrel (doesnt have to be a pick) or just classic 101 honestly.

Russell’s Reserve 13 Year - LL/KE (13 Years, 114.8 Proof)

Nose: Caramel! Caramel apples in particular, black cherry, vanilla pudding. It just smells dark, rich and incredibly inviting.

Palate: Black cherry or blackberries or just various dark fruits honestly from sip to sip. Nicely balanced oak and mulling spice.

Finish: Still black cherry, black pepper, polished wood, rich and nicely tannic.

Excellent (8/10)

Overall: Decadent is what comes to mind sipping this. It’s packed with rich, well developed flavors. I imagine blind you’d just have to guess this is a double digit aged whiskey. I also don’t really buy into these Russell’s Reserve 13 “batches” being that different if I’m being honest. I’ve seen chatter about certain ones being superior, and now having tried 3 of them and reviewed two (LL/JD and this LL/KE)… I’ve found these to be remarkably consistent personally. Jimmy Russell has also historically valued consistency across product lines, so I do sincerely think Wild Turkey’s goal is not for these to be super different. That’s not to minimize the experience of anyone who has found significant deviation in their notes, I just personally have not and I don't think that’s ultimately the goal from Wild Turkey.