Editor’s Note: This whiskey was provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. This in no way, per our editorial policies, influenced the final outcome of this review. It should also be noted that by clicking the buy link in this review our site receives a small referral payment which helps to support, but not influence, our editorial and other costs.
Christmas 2021 found me wandering between shelves of a local liquor store, looking high and low for a premium bottle of bourbon recently hidden in their Christmas “elf on the shelf” program. Find the elf and you find the rare bourbon. To the outside observer, it must’ve been a sight to see 20-some grown men, all jumping into the air to see the tops of shelves and crawling on their knees to scour the bottoms.
During the pandemic, we all turned to new hobbies to fill the spaces vacated by public activities and social gatherings. My hobby was to join a host of other middle-aged men in chasing bourbon, or turned “tater” as the veterans say. But it wasn’t until after the elf-on-the-shelf experience that I truly started to appreciate bourbon.
What happened you ask? I stopped playing the game. The jumping and crawling left a sour taste in my mouth, so I started trying available and lesser known products, and I loved what I found. I found Garrison Brothers Small Batch bourbon, a Texas bourbon with a truly unique flavor. I found Woodford Reserve’s Five-Malt Stouted Mash, which smells like a barn and tastes like chocolate. I found Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel bourbon, an excellent example of an overlooked but quality bourbon. I found dozens of craft products produced by makers who had one thing in common: they were passionate about the art of making whiskey.
Today, we focus to the passion of the Russell family, which has been making high quality bourbon in Kentucky for over 70 years. Jimmy Russell, who has worked for Wild Turkey his whole career, is a veritable legend of the industry. Eddie Russell, his son, became a Master Distiller at Wild Turkey as well, and created the Russell’s Reserve Brand in honor of his father. Together, the two “stand as the longest-tenured father and son duo in the bourbon industry, with more than 100 collective years of experience.”
The two have helped launch numerous Wild Tukey lines, including Tradition, Tribute, Rare Breed, American Spirit, Kentucky Spirit, and, of course, Russell’s Reserve. And the tradition will continue with a 3rd generation, Bruce Russell, who was appointed at Wild Turkey as Associate Blender. The subject of today’s review is the second expression in their new ultra-premium line Single Rickhouse Collection, which debuted in 2022: the Russell’s Reserve Single Rickhouse Camp Nelson F.
The purpose of the new line is to “explore how specific barrel resting places impact a whiskey’s final character.” The specific rickhouse this barrel was chosen from was built in the 1940s and sits low, overlooking the Kentucky River. The specific location has higher airflow and wind currents than other rickhouses, causing the barrels to “breathe” at a higher intensity than other areas. The barrel is also from the “center cut”, or the middle of the building, which age at more consistent temperatures than the top and bottom floors.
Tasting Notes: Russell’s Reserve Single Rickhouse Camp Nelson F
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Vital Stats: 10+ years old. 117.6 proof (58.8% ABV). $300/750ml.
Appearance: Pale russet brown and orange liqueur.
Nose: Herbal juniper is noticeable amongst black walnut wood and campfire. Roasted hazelnuts and cinnamon express the classic bourbon smells.
Palate: A medium wood note of cedar forms the core. A spicy dram, touches of nutmeg and ginger mix with a hint of darker stone fruit. The finish is hot, showing traces of treacle and holiday spices.
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