“It’s refreshing to be reminded to hunt out the positives fairly than negatives of this passion.” – Graham
It is exceptional that this wanted to be stated. I imply, it’s a passion, proper? Whiskey is one thing that’s speculated to carry us pleasure, and to take our thoughts off our cares for some time. But, spend sufficient time within the whiskeyverse (notably on-line) and it’s simple to show into the kind of person who must be reminded that whiskey is for having fun with.
I’m not innocent myself; my complete on-line schtick consists largely of Juvenalian satire and snarky memes, leavened by the occasional expression of gratitude for the generosity of different superb people in the neighborhood. On the entire, nonetheless, it feels simpler to seek out issues to dislike than to love. Why is that, although?
Periodically, writers for this website are scolded with some variation of the phrase “it’s essential cease being so cynical,” sometimes in response to a damaging assessment. My inventory comeback is “I’ll cease being so cynical when the business stops giving me issues to be cynical about.” Since I began writing right here – practically 4 years in the past, now – the whiskey shopper (each in America in addition to elsewhere) has seen a dwindling provide of fascinating bottles, changed by substitutes of decrease high quality, greater worth, or certainly each.
Resentment at being requested to pay much less for extra turned a thread by means of lots of the opinions featured right here. To some extent, it felt like negativity was a part of the Malt “model.” It was as if pessimism was a function, not a bug. In the best way that the whole world appears like a nail to the particular person holding a hammer, every bottle of whiskey begins to look like a chance to bang out an ill-tempered screed in regards to the rapacity of the mendacious whiskey business.
For somebody seeking to maintain the eye of readers over an extended time period, it’s perilous to be an incorrigible crank. A number of deftly executed takedowns may be entertaining, however banging the identical drum with out variation rapidly turns into uninteresting. I’ve seen whisky critics lapse into self-parody; at occasions, it felt like an AI “bot” may write their opinions for them, so formulaic had their approaches change into.
How, then, to interrupt out of the crotchety doldrums? Going again to Graham’s preliminary revelation, I’ve chosen to assessment some whiskey I actually like, made by folks I respect, at a distillery that continues to supply good-to-great whiskey for an affordable outlay at many worth factors. I’m speaking, in fact, about Wild Turkey.
Wild Turkey sits atop my private league desk of the bigger Kentucky distilleries. The model has grown in status since my first sampling of their wares, aided in no small half by the indefatigable evangelism of their #1 fan (and private good friend of mine) David Jennings, who you could know as Uncommon Hen 101. Regardless of this burnished fame, I’m comfortable to tempt destiny by reminding you that – bar a handful of restricted editions – bottles of Wild Turkey whiskey from 101 as much as Russel’s Reserve Single Barrel stay simple to seek out at aggressive costs (cue feedback to the impact of “Shut up! haha j/ok lol however significantly: shut up.”).
This shouldn’t be exceptional, however that’s whiskey in 2022 for you. Every time a correspondent tells me that commonplace Buffalo Hint bourbon is unimaginable to seek out of their space, or that Weller Particular Reserve has been marked up with a triple-digit price ticket, I thank the great Lord for the persistently plentiful choices from the Home that Jimmy Constructed.
And but, I can’t assist however fear. Like that straw man above, I worry that it’s solely a matter of time earlier than the identical madness which has put the “Uncommon” in Eagle Uncommon begins to influence the provision of Wild Turkey. With this paranoia lurking behind my thoughts, I just lately started to note one thing lacking as I perused the cabinets of native grocery and liquor shops.
101? Examine. Russell’s Reserve 10? Proper there by its facet. Uncommon Breed? Luckily, not practically as scarce because the moniker would recommend. However wait… the place is Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel?
There was a time within the not-that-distant previous the place retailer picks of Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel had been plentiful. I recall per week when no less than half a dozen of them hit the cabinets in Chicago concurrently, a smörgåsbord of Camp Nelson’s best. For people who weren’t blessed to dwell in an city space so saturated, there was all the time the usual retail model of Russell’s Reserve to fall again on. What this expression lacks by way of the rickhouse and barrel age data of the personal picks, it makes up for in {that a} purchaser is spared the dignity-eroding ordeal of asking a beleaguered liquor retailer clerk if there’s “any within the again,” in distinction to a different common single barrel bourbon.
Or no less than, it did. Normally, I don’t fret a lot over the periodic absence of a bottle on the shelf. The vicissitudes of distribution and stock usually imply that this-or-that whiskey shall be unavailable for a brief time period earlier than displaying up once more in brief order. Nevertheless, I hadn’t seen any Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel in fairly a while.
My coronary heart was subsequently set aflutter after I dropped into She commented (with out prompting) “Sensible choice. You bought my final bottle. They’re allotted now.”
Allotted? Wild Turkey? Say it ain’t so! To analyze additional, I bought in contact with Bo Garrett, Wild Turkey model ambassador (and Malt contributor), who had this to say:
“To my data, there was nothing executed to vary Russell’s Reserve distribution. Every state will get an ‘allotted’ quantity of product. In the event that they promote all of that product, they received’t get extra merely based mostly on manufacturing quantities. Having stated that, Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel has seen a piggyback impact after the ridiculous success of the 13. It’s now not a secret that it’s an excellent bourbon.”
Cheers to Bo for offering this readability. So, whereas not “allotted” within the sense that it is likely to be understood by followers of the Buffalo Hint portfolio, it’s honest to say that demand for Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel has elevated in extra of manufacturing portions, in a approach that explains the optical shortage of bottles these days. I’m not breaking the glass and pulling the alarm, but, however you’ve been warned.
Again to positivity: after an extended break since my final style, I’m completely elated to be cracking the seal on a brand new bottle. I’ll strive to not let that enthusiasm infect my goal evaluation of the standard of this bourbon, although. Some last specs earlier than I get tasting: this can be a single barrel bourbon bottle at 110 proof (55% ABV). The laser code of LL/KD19125 signifies that this was bottled in April 2022, a comparatively latest one. I paid $70 for a 750 ml bottle.
Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel – Evaluation
Colour: Medium-dark golden brown.
On the nostril: Similar to the Russell’s Reserve 10 Yr, this has a really nice topnote of sweetly creamy cherries, within the method of cherry ice cream. I’ve to pay attention to tease out further nuances, however after they emerge they’re pleasant. Sarsaparilla, mesquite, oiled new leather-based, freshly reduce tobacco leaves, and even a contact of contemporary ginger spherical this out. It’s a pleasant mixture of a dominant, charming core with some extra assorted, intriguing notes swirling round it.
Within the mouth: The entrance of this can be a very tart burst of orange citrus fruits (oranges, sure, but in addition tangerines and maybe a spicy nip of grapefruit. Towards the middle of the palate this turns into extra lean, with an emphasis on lemongrass and piquant ginger, in addition to a pronounced stoniness that, mixed with the tart notes reaches a mouth-puckering dryness that crescendos in the course of the tongue. The very best second comes, for me, as these notes recede, leaving of their place some subtly woody and earthy accents married to a reprise of that central creamy cherry be aware from the nostril. The ABV is obvious in a tingly warmth that persists by means of the end, with fading flavors of cherries, black espresso, and cacao.
Conclusions:
That is good whiskey, although this explicit single barrel tacks a bit austere in comparison with among the extra fulsome single barrels that Wild Turkey has launched. Nonetheless, it’s bought sufficient complexity on the nostril and the palate to suggest it as worthy of standalone consideration, fairly than being blended into one of many distillery’s batched merchandise. It’s additionally stuffed with Wild Turkey hallmark notes, which needs to be reassuring to longtime followers of the distillery’s signature profile. Taking all that into consideration and contemplating the value, I’m scoring it a notch above common.
Rating: 6/10
So, in spite of everything that, what have I bought? A pleasant, tasty bottle of whiskey, bought at retail worth, to take pleasure in (neat or in cocktails) alone or with associates. Contemplating all of the issues we layer on high of this passion, it’s enjoyable and refreshing to have the ability to return to fundamentals. If you end up in a pessimistic temper, I’d encourage you to hunt out this bottle – or some other that fits your tastes – and attempt to reclaim some pleasure and positivity for your self.
