Russell's Reserve New barrel proof version

[cowdery]

When I was in college over 10 years ago I remember walking into a party and knowing right away they had a bottle of WT open because of the smell in the air. I used to drink 101 back then before I ever cared about what I was drinking that's how I knew the smell when I walked into that room. I didn't drink WT for a long time since then until recent years. When people talk about how this brand isn't what it used to be, I kinda know what they mean, I don't think the aroma of the current bottling would leave as much of an impression now as it did then. In other words, I don't remember what it used to taste like, I just remember that it used to be more powerful than it is today, and since I don't remember what it used to taste like, I like the current bottles that I've had.

As far as the new release, I see what you're saying about, "where's the story?" but I have to say, I like KC1B better than regular KC so I'm hoping this will be a similar story. I prefer RB and 101 to RR, but this one could change that.

I think I see your point about the uneducated consumer part. if its going to be single barrel and high proof, why not single barrel, barrel proof, non-chill-filtered AND age stated? Why hold back?

I know what you're saying and based on your story you might like this very much, because my first reaction when I drank it was "that's Wild Turkey," and now that you mention it, maybe more like it used to taste..and smell.

[mosugoji64]

Also, knowing the age is part of the romance and allure of a single barrel. It's nice to know those details and think 'what was I doing in 2002 when this was put in a barrel?'

That is something that I love about this hobby. I mentioned to a friend a while back that the age on age-stated bottles creates a story that starts with, "What was I doing when this went into that barrel?" It's a big part of the fun and makes the loss of age statements all the more sad.

[T Comp]

That is something that I love about this hobby. I mentioned to a friend a while back that the age on age-stated bottles creates a story that starts with, "What was I doing when this went into that barrel?" It's a big part of the fun and makes the loss of age statements all the more sad.

Just checked the oldest bottle I have open, distilled spring 1953...hmm...wonder what I was doing as my atoms still hadn't been put together yet? That would have been summer of '53 :grin:.

It is fun and who doesn't like to imagine the grains in the field and the workers who did everything at some precise point in the history of the bottle. The same stuff Maya touched on in great dialouge from the wine movie Sideways "No, but I do like to think about the life of wine, how it’s a living thing. I like to think about what was going on the year the grapes were growing, how the sun was shining that summer or if it rained…what the weather was like. I think about all those people who tended and picked the grapes, and if it's an old wine, how many of them must be dead by now." Just a bunch of romantics, us whiskey drinkers too :cool:.

[peb]

Took a tour at Wild Turkey yesterday and they offered this during their tasting. You get two choices from the following: WT81, WT 101, WTKS, RB, 81 Rye, standard RR, RR SB, or WT Honey. I should have done both Russell's Reserves, but instead did the two single barrel offerings. The KS was good and tasted very similar to bottles I have had in the past (sorry, no tasting notes taken so I'm just going off memory here). The RR SB had more intense favors and the increase in proof was noticeable. The finish lasted forever.

For what it is worth, the tour guide said these barrels should be "around" 10 years old (put it on the bottle and I might believe you!). I really liked it though. A definite improvement over the last RR10 I had. Worth $50? Maybe. I would be all over it in the future for $35-40. I really enjoy RB and KS, so this might be something I pick up again. And hopefully they change the label to include barrel info and drop the ridiculous 'Small Batch' reference...

[cowdery]

According to the brand manager, it's between 8 and 9 years old. While this is probably true, being NAS means it may not remain true. A single barrel without an age statement is very disappointing.

Suggested retail is $49.99 and it will launch in January.

[HighInTheMtns]

I still would like to know what this means for WTKS, also a NAS single barrel, also priced at $50, but lower in proof.

[Lazer]

I still would like to know what this means for WTKS, also a NAS single barrel, also priced at $50, but lower in proof.

It means you're a sucker if you buy it. :cool:

[HighInTheMtns]

It means you're a sucker if you buy it. :cool:

Been that way for a while, hasn't it?

[weller_tex]

WT 101 was my goto bourbon for quite some time, but as my tastes expanded I moved more towards wheaters. I bought a 1/2 pint the other day for the first time in two years. It was awful. I mean it had a resemblance to past WT 101, but it was much lighter in color, tasted a lot younger, it had an astringency that was off-putting. It tasted almost like the old 80-proof which I think was only 4 years old. Needless to say I won't be searching out the RR.

[T Comp]

It will be hard for WT not to disappoint us enthusiasts who have tasted the glory of what they used to put out. Still, BF is able to command a price for their nas and only 90 proof JD SB not far below what this will be. WT at least appears to be taking a step towards being relevant again. For the first time ever I saw an end case display of cases of RR 90 at 2 different Binny's here last weekend and at a sale price.

[squire]

Never thought I would feel nostalgic about an 8 year age statement and 101 proof.

[cowdery]

I don't see the RRSB as having any effect on KY Spirit, which I haven't had recently but have always found to be beyond excellent. I certainly don't think they're getting ready to discontinue KY Spirit, if that's what you mean. Otherwise I'm not sure what 'effect' you're concerned about.

RR as a brand is intended to be more contemporary in its profile than any WT, which usually means a little milder; more sweetness, less burn. My impression of the SB is that it is more like the classic Wild Turkey profile. When I get a chance, I'll do a comparison with current issue WT101 and maybe with Rare Breed (of which I think I have a mini around here somewhere).

One caution for people who mourn the way WT used to taste, I think you're comparing current issue to glut-era WT, which may have been even older than the then label-stated 8 years. My guess is that NAS WT is about 6 years old, so you could easily be comparing 6-year-old to 10-year-old. Like everybody else, WT is putting its best whiskey into its most expensive bottles, but WT's best whiskey is still very good.

[squire]

Oh sure Chuck, guess I am making that comparison, but since I'm getting up in years please allow me my reminiscences. Hell, everything was better back then.

[HighInTheMtns]

Don't know that I have a concern about WTKS; just seems odd that they now offer two brands that seem so similar to each other at the same price point.

For me, I'm not fortunate enough to have had glut-era Turkey but current 101, RR90 and WTRB are regular pours for me. I'll happily buy a bottle of the new RRSB and I'm hopeful it will make me want to buy more.

Thanks for all the info, Chuck.

[cowdery]

Don't know that I have a concern about WTKS; just seems odd that they now offer two brands that seem so similar to each other at the same price point.

They're targeted to a completely different market. WTKS is targeted to a older, traditional Wild Turkey consumer. RRSB is targeted at a younger consumer who may not even realize that RR and WT are the same. WTKS competes with Blanton's. RRSB competes with Knob Creek.

[JohnHansell]

RRSB is not WTKS, that's for sure. No comparison. The former is nice enough, but the latter has always been a special bourbon for me.

[jburlowski]

But WTKS, in recent years, has been a pale, sad caricature of its former self. If it went away, I wouldn't shed any tears.

Now, WTRB, that's a whole 'nother thing.

[JohnHansell]

But WTKS, in recent years, has been a pale, sad caricature of its former self. If it went away, I wouldn't shed any tears

.

Very good point. I'm still sipping on older bottles of WTKS (bottle five years ago or more) that I had stashed away. I have not had any recent bottlings. If it's gone downhill, that's sad.

[weller_tex]

..

One caution for people who mourn the way WT used to taste, I think you're comparing current issue to glut-era WT, which may have been even older than the then label-stated 8 years. My guess is that NAS WT is about 6 years old, so you could easily be comparing 6-year-old to 10-year-old. Like everybody else, WT is putting its best whiskey into its most expensive bottles, but WT's best whiskey is still very good.

I don't know, Chuck, I was just comparing current standard WT101 to what it was just 2 or 3 years ago, not the old 8 year. I think it has definitely gone downhill.

[cowdery]

After hearing so many people talk about the decline of WT101--and I've done it myself--I cracked a fresh bottle last night and was pleasantly surprised. Not a lot of oak or char but the sweetness more than made up for it.

[WAINWRIGHT]

After hearing so many people talk about the decline of WT101--and I've done it myself--I cracked a fresh bottle last night and was pleasantly surprised. Not a lot of oak or char but the sweetness more than made up for it.

This is good to hear and I patiently await this to become available here so I to can try it myself.I hope this brings back some of my enthusiam towards the Wild Turkey line of products.

[Parkersback]

I had a bottle of duty-free 8 year old not too long ago and I thought it was pretty good.

[c2walker]

I had a bottle of duty-free 8 year old not too long ago and I thought it was pretty good.

[Brisko]

For whatever it's worth, I've found the NAS 101 to be pretty variable, but always decent. My beef is with RB and KS. RB from 12 years ago and the current (WT-03B) RB are miles apart, as are KS from about 2005 and earlier vs. today.

Well, that's not my only beef but that's the one that's germane to this discussion.

[weller_tex]

After hearing so many people talk about the decline of WT101--and I've done it myself--I cracked a fresh bottle last night and was pleasantly surprised. Not a lot of oak or char but the sweetness more than made up for it.