Editor’s Note: This whiskey was provided to us as a free sample to review by the party behind it. The Whiskey Wash, while appreciative of this, did keep full independent editorial control over this article.
Some people are born big boned. Some are born with big personalities – larger-than-life people that brighten the world around them. There are some whiskies born this way, too. One such spirit is Russell’s Reserve Small Batch 10 Year Old Kentucky Bourbon.
Now, this is a Wild Turkey product, which means that despite its small batch nomenclature, there’s a big machine behind the whiskey. The good news: this keeps the price of a 10 year old bourbon affordable at around $40 on average when not on sale.
Pouring the Kentucky native into a glass, I am greeted by a deep copper spirit with legs for miles and a nose full of toasted almonds and creme brulee.
On the palate, the sugars share space with allspice, sasparilla, toffee and a sharp bite of alcohol usually aged out of older bourbons.
The finish is long and sweet, with a buttery mouth feel, playing with apricots and a dark vanilla that could last until breakfast.
This is a big, bold crush of a whiskey. There’s nothing subtle or unusual, here, but a real Granddaddy Bourbon that wouldn’t be out of place in any glass – neat after work, over ice with a pal in the study, or as the base of a super old-fashioned. Big enough that it has me reaching for that block of sharp cheddar in the icebox. Should pair well with anything that goes with a big bold wine.
I give Russell’s Reserve 10 Year Old Bourbon a score of 87 points.
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