Russell's Reserve Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey 55% 700ml

A standout high-proof pour from the Wild Turkey Distillery in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, Russell's Reserve Single Barrel honours master distillers Jimmy and Eddie Russell — a father-and-son team with over a century of combined experience. Built on Wild Turkey's signature mash bill (75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley) and matured in the deepest No. 4 "alligator" char American white oak barrels, each bottle is drawn from a single hand-selected barrel, bottled at a hearty 110 proof (55% ABV) and left non-chill filtered to preserve maximum flavour and texture.

The result is bourbon at its bold, characterful best — rich, full-bodied and brimming with the creamy toffee and vanilla that define the house style, backed by serious oak and spice. Because every barrel is bottled individually, each one carries its own personality, so no two are exactly alike. Widely regarded as one of the finest expressions in the Wild Turkey stable and harder to find in Australia, it's a must-try for serious bourbon drinkers who appreciate a robust, high-proof dram.

Tasting Notes
The nose is rich and inviting — creamy vanilla, brown sugar, caramel and toffee layered with toasted oak, cinnamon and roasted pecans, plus a thread of dried red fruit, leather and tobacco. The palate is bold, full-bodied and chewy, delivering honeyed vanilla and butter-toffee against vigorous rye spice, charred oak, dried cherry and a touch of liquorice. The finish is long and warm, with lingering sweet spice, toasted brown sugar and oak. (As a single-barrel release, exact character varies subtly from bottle to bottle.)

Serves Best With
At 55% ABV this is a bourbon best enjoyed neat or over a large ice cube, with a few drops of water to open its layered sweetness and spice. Its proof and depth make it an outstanding Old Fashioned — stir 60ml Russell's Reserve with 1 teaspoon sugar syrup and 2 dashes of Angostura bitters over ice, strain over a large cube and garnish with an expressed orange peel. It also stands up beautifully in a Manhattan or Boulevardier. On the food side, pair with grilled and smoked meats, aged cheddar, dark chocolate or pecan pie.