BOTM 06/09: (WT) Russell's Reserve

Hope everyone enjoyed the month off from the BOTM!

This month we're starting fresh, well sort of, actually our first repeat bourbon of the month. This one has gone through a complete change and then a secondary labeling change recently.

The new label hardly acknowledges it but we all know Russell's Reserve is from Wild Turkey. This 10 year bourbon was, as we all know, some time ago proofed down to 90 from 101 and completely repackaged with a different bottle and label. Recently the label was changed again so let's give a fresh look to this attempt of Wild Turkey's to position the RR line in a completely different class.

Strangely enough I find myself enjoying this in my glass right now more than I ever did the 101 proof version. Did they change the profile when they repackaged it? It seems more refined with distinct flavors and less rough char flavor; is that what the RR line is supposed to be about?

:893drillsergeant-thSound Off:893drillsergeant-th

Christian, are you saying the new label RR90 is different than the old label RR90 and you like it more than the RR101?

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Originally Posted by OscarV

Christian, are you saying the new label RR90 is different than the old label RR90 and you like it more than the RR101?

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If that's what he's saying then I will go buy some right now! I choked down a bottle of the old label RR90 last month and thought it was pretty bad (I was expecting more out of a 10yr bourbon, admittedly), not on par with most bourbons I have had. The RR101 is pretty durn good, though -- if the new label 90 proof tastes like that, I may have found a new standby.

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Originally Posted by OscarV

Christian, are you saying the new label RR90 is different than the old label RR90 and you like it more than the RR101?

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I think he is, and I think I agree with him too. And that goes double for the rye. I much prefer the RRR to the standard wtr 101:shocked:

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Originally Posted by funknik

If that's what he's saying then I will go buy some right now! The RR101 is pretty durn good, though -- if the new label 90 proof tastes like that, I may have found a new standby.

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Me too! ALthough I think the "old" RR90 is a darn good bourbon.

Anybody seen any RR Rye in a new bottle? Can't seem to find any, new or old. Saw a Wild Turkey Rye opted for a 10year Weller.

Actually my bottle is the 'old' 90 proof package, we won't see the new out here in Oregon for up to a year I am told. This is the first of the 90 proof I'd ever tasted because I was so turned off by the 'old' 101 version, and thus am very pleasantly surprised that I enjoy this 90 proof version more.

I detected too much of what I called rough char flavor and had previously described as burnt rubber flavor in the 101 version. I don't get that in the 90 and actually get some nice Vanilla on the nose that comes through faintly with some sweetness on the pallate. Unfortunately out here in Oregon it is a $29.45 product so I can't say I'd buy it often, but needed to try it out and do not regret doing so.

Dang it! Thought I was going to get to play this month and y'all are doing the 90 proof. Interesting to see some negativity about RR101, a bottling which seems to be generally lamented in passing.

I have two bottles with what appears to be the same lable, but my newer bottle has Russell's signature raised in the glass below the neck. My older bottle doesn't. Anyone know whether the bourbon's different? I haven't opened my new bottle yet.

I didn't know there was a difference in the 90 proofs except the labels. I will have to pick up a bottle of the old label to compare.