Nearly 20 years ago I can remember buying Russell’s Reserve for about $22/bottle and enjoying it very much…it was my first “premium” bourbon, a product of Wild Turkey and really quite ahead of its time in the marketplace. Nowadays it runs about twice that amount and the premium and super premium bourbon marketplace is super crowded, but RR is still readily available and, I would say, one of the first bourbons that has doubled in price but is still worth every penny.
At 90 proof, the bourbon doesn’t threaten to single your nose hairs when you take a sniff, instead giving up notes of vanilla and oak very readily without the alcohol burn that has become so prevalent in today’s high-proof competition. The bourbon doesn’t really need any water or ice to bring it down to an approachable proof level and tame the alcohol vapors, either.
Right out of the bottle, Russell’s Reserve is sweet, with rich notes of honey and vanilla, along with plenty of oak and pepper on the back end. Even at about $45 per bottle, this is still a bargain.
