Bourbon

Wild Turkey Jimmy Russell’s 70th Anniversary 8-Year-Old Bourbon

/ / Bourbon, Review /

Wild Turkey Jimmy Russell’s 70th Anniversary
8-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

50.5% ABV
$50
Website
Wild Turkey Jimmy Russell's 70th Anniversary 8 Year Old Bourbon
We would like to thank Campari Group and Allison Worldwide PR for sending us a sample to review.

What the Distillery Says

Commemorative bourbon release honoring Master Distiller Jimmy Russell’s 70th Anniversary with Wild Turkey making him the longest-tenured spirits Master Distiller in the world.

To honor Jimmy’s incredible impact on the bourbon world, Wild Turkey is proud to present the limited-edition Wild Turkey Jimmy Russell’s 70th Anniversary 8-Year-Old Bourbon.

This collector-worthy release is an 8-Year-Old, 101-proof bourbon, with an additional blend of 8- to 9-year-old whiskeys, hand-selected from a few of Jimmy’s favorite Rickhouses. Best enjoyed neat or over ice, this bourbon is a true tribute to Jimmy’s legacy.

A LIFETIME OF PASSION

From his earliest days at the distillery sweeping the floors at age 18 to rising through the ranks to become Master Distiller, Jimmy has remained committed to crafting bourbon one way, the right way, even when it wasn’t popular. In the 1970’s and 80’s when the bourbon industry was close to collapse, Jimmy stayed the course.

When many began favoring lighter spirits, Jimmy refused to dilute his bourbon or change the distilling process at all. Embracing the pre-prohibition style that he learned from his mentor and predecessor Bill Hughes, Jimmy “didn’t change a damn thing.” This approach helped propel the popularity of many of the distillery’s classic bourbons, including Jimmy’s favorite, Wild Turkey 101. He knew bold Kentucky bourbon would always have a place on the bar, a legacy that endures today.

“In my eyes, I’ve never worked a day in my life. The day I do, I’ll retire,” jokes Master Distiller Jimmy Russell. “Until then, I’m going to continue making the bourbon I love.”

TASTING NOTES
AROMA: Vanilla, oak, and honey with notes of cinnamon, brown sugar, tobacco, and orange peel.
TASTE: Sweet cream, vanilla, butterscotch, stone fruit (dates), pecans, and black tea.
FINISH: Warming with notes of caramel, dark cherry with a long lingering finish of oak, burnt sugar, and bitter chocolate.

PROCESS: 101 proof, 8-Year-Old bourbon with additional blend of 8-9YO whiskeys from Jimmy’s favorite rickhouses.

What Gary Says

Nose:  Turtle brownies (caramel, chocolate, slightly nutty), vanilla, a bit of cinnamon, honey, slightly sour oak note, and orange zest.
Palate:  Round mouthfeel with caramel, toffee, hazelnut, cinnamon, nutmeg, oak, pepper spice with black cherries and a hint of orange marmalade.
Finish:  Long and wet with vanilla, cocoa, honey, leather, and oak.
Comments:  Damn, this is just delicious. I can see why this is how Jimmy Russell likes his Wild Turkey! Comparing this to Wild Turkey 101, this is more refined, nuanced, and complex. It is (dare I say) a bit softer than Wild Turkey 101 – but that is NOT “smooth”. Don’t go thinking that they tamed the Turkey, because Jimmy wouldn’t be having that – but this trades that biting edge for a more viscous mouthfeel and depth of taste that is just scrumptious. A bit of water doesn’t hurt it, but it absolutely doesn’t need it either – this sips beautifully neat. The whiskey is just lovely, and I appreciate Wild Turkey putting this out at an accessible price point and enough volume to allow their fans the chance to get one.

Rating: Must Try

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Blue Note Crossroads

/ / Bourbon, Review /

Blue Note Crossroads
Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished with Toasted French Oak

50% ABV
$45
Website
Blue Note Crossroads Straight Bourbon Whiskey
We would like to thank B.R. Distilling Co and Ro-Bro Marketing & PR for sending us a sample to review.

What the Producer Says

Finished with two types of toasted French oak staves, Crossroads sips like a lower proof bourbon but sits at a respectable 100 proof. Try it for yourself to see what’s so special about this offering.

Technical Details
Product Type: Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Finish: Toasted French Oak
Proof & Filtration: 100 proof, unfiltered
Availability: Nationwide, Crafted in Memphis

What Gary Says

Nose:  Rich, light caramel, wood spices, French oak, raw honey, vanilla and dark fruits.
Palate:  Creamy mouthfeel, vanilla, caramel, honey, toasted marshmallow, dark fruit notes of raisins and a bit of cinnamon.
Finish:  Moderate in length, drying with oak, spice and honey.
Comments:  This is a really interesting pour! The dark fruit notes give it almost a sherried finish flavor. The mouthfeel from the lack of filtration is nice, and the higher proof also helps this one stand out. Have tried French oak finished bourbons before, but the toasting of the staves adds something different.

Rating: Stands Out

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Blue Note Juke Joint

/ / Bourbon, Review /

Blue Note Juke Joint
Straight Bourbon Whiskey

46.5% ABV
$35
Website
Blue Note Juke Joint Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
We would like to thank B.R. Distilling Co and Ro-Bro Marketing & PR for sending us a sample to review.

What the Producer Says

Crafted in Memphis, Juke Joint is Blue Note’s flagship Straight Bourbon Whiskey. Bottled at 93 proof, Juke Joint drinks just as smooth neat as it does in your favorite cocktail.

Nose: Sweet corn, allspice, and oak
Body: Viscous
Taste: Vanilla, allspice, apricot, and pear
Finish: Allspice fades into lingering notes of oak, pear, and vanilla

Technical Details
Aged: Minimum of three years
Product Type: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Mash Bill: 70% corn, 21% rye, and 9% malted barley
Proof & Filtration: 93 proof, unfiltered
Availability: Nationwide, Crafted in Memphis

What Gary Says

Nose:  Corn, soft oak, allspice and a bit of honey.
Palate:  Round mouthfeel, sweet with vanilla, hint of caramel, pears, cinnamon and pepper spice.
Finish:  Short with oak, wood spices and vanilla.
Comments:  This tastes like what you would expect a young, three year old bourbon to taste like. Corn forward on the nose and smooth. The lack of filtration is a plus, and comes across in the mouthfeel. Nothing objectionable, but also nothing inspiring or special – and while $35 isn’t a “premium” price point, there’s a long list of bourbons I’d prefer for the same or less money.

Rating: Average

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Bardstown Bourbon Company Plantation Rum Finish

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Bardstown Bourbon Company Plantation Rum Finish
Straight Bourbon Whiskey Finished in Plantation Rum Barrels

55% ABV
$160
Website
Bardstown Bourbon Company Plantation Rum Finish

What the Producer Says

Savor the latest addition to this innovative series with our plantation rum release — 10-year-old Tennessee bourbon finished for 22 months in Plantation Rum barrels.

Tasting Notes: Orange peel, allspice, and cinnamon highlight layers of banana bread with rich caramel. On the palate, apple crisp and molasses lead to a balanced finish of fruit and spice, rounding out this luxurious, summer sipper.

What Gary Says

Nose: Caramel, molasses, vanilla, grassy, oak, hint of chocolate with cinnamon.
Palate: Sweet with caramel, sharp bite of molasses, chili spice, cinnamon and vanilla.
Finish: Long and drying with pepper spice, cinnamon and rum.
Comments: This was a bit sharper than I expected, but a bit of water softens it up and I definitely preferred it that way. It smoothed that pepper bit and allowed the molasses notes to shine through. 22 months is a long time for a finish, and a bit heavy-handed for my liking; it really dominates the core spirit for me. But if you like rum more than bourbon this might be right up your alley.

Rating: Average/Stands Out

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Knob Creek Bourbon x Rye Kentucky Blended Straight Whiskey

/ / Bourbon, Other Whisk(e)ys, Review, Rye Whiskey /

Knob Creek Bourbon x Rye
Kentucky Blended Straight Whiskey

56.5% ABV
$45
Website
Knob Creek Bourbon x Rye Kentucky Blended Straight Whiskey

What the Distillery Says:

Knob Creek® is excited to announce its first-ever, limited edition bourbon and rye blend to its award-winning* portfolio, Knob Creek® Bourbon x Rye Kentucky Blended Straight Whiskey. Carefully crafted and seasoned by time, Knob Creek® Bourbon x Rye brings together two of Knob Creek’s® premium whiskeys, Knob Creek® 9 Year Old Bourbon and Knob Creek® 7 Year Old Rye, offering fans an unforgettable experience unlike anything existing within the portfolio or many other offerings on the market.
Highlighting the perfect balance of Knob Creek® 9 Year Old Bourbon’s sweet notes complimented by Knob Creek® 7 Year Old Rye’s bold spice, this robust and complex whiskey brings bourbon and rye enthusiasts the best of both whiskey worlds. It’s best enjoyed neat or on the rocks to unveil its sweet, fruity and spicy notes.
TASTING NOTES
Knob Creek® Bourbon x Rye is a masterful blend that brings together the richness of brown sweets and a hint of fruitiness and black pepper, with a sweet lingering spice finish that will leave you wanting more. This high-quality, flavorful whiskey is a testament to our dedication to deliver exceptional whiskey to enthusiasts and newcomers alike.
PROOF: 113
COLOR: Golden brown with copper hues, reminiscent of autumn leaves and evening sunlight.
AROMA: Enticing sweetness of maple syrup and vanilla, joined by hints of nuttiness and baking spices, such as cinnamon and nutmeg.
TASTE: Rich and comforting sweetness of brown sweets, like caramel and toffee, complemented by a delicate hint of fruitness for added complexity.
FINISH: Gentle heat of black pepper, adding a touch of lingering spice.

What Gary Says

Nose: Salted caramel, oak, fruity with cherries, plums and tangerines, mint, hint of maple syrup with polished leather and baking spices.
Palate: Caramel, peanut butter, chocolate, cherries, cinnamon, nutmeg, mint, citrus with a bit of cloves.
Finish: Moderately long with caramel, fruit, pepper spice and mixed nuts.
Comments: There isn’t a lot of bourbon rye blends on the market, and I’ve honestly never understood why that is. Many whiskey enthusiasts that I’ve known over the years have created their own blends, including blending from different distilleries. This is a delicious offering! Priced reasonably and at a solid 113 proof, this brings the best of both Knob Creek bourbon and rye into a single pour. Well balanced, I enjoyed this quite well neat, although a few drops of water thickens the mouthfeel nicely and brings the fruit notes forward.

Rating: Must Try

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