WTRRSB Impressions?

[Stormeh]

Hey all,

I haven't seen or heard many impressions or thoughts on WTRRSB. I haven't seen a big drop of it where I am (SoCal) although I haven't looked terribly hard. How is it? Worth seeking out? Of all the Turkey's I've had so far, I am a fan of Rare Breed. None of the others including regular RR have impressed me much, but I'm thinking the extra kick of the RRSB could make it like the RB but with greater or more complex flavor.

Stormeh

[whiskeyagonzo]

As it happens I received a sample from a friend in the mail today. I will report back as soon as I have a chance. He told me he loves it along with the RB. So if you like the RB maybe give it a shot.

[WAINWRIGHT]

I find it to have a rush of sweetness that dissipates rather quickly and leaves the mid palate wanting more and an overly dry and charred finish with youth abound throughout.I have sampled from two different bottles,both with significant open time which has much improved the finish but little else.Really I was hoping for something of a return to WT's days of glory and it's signature rich sweetness to flow throughout,yet I was left with nothing more than an overpriced,unbalanced,under aged whiskey and I think it's a damn shame.I say save your money and buy a WTRB and you will be more than satisfied and still have a $20 bill left in your wallet,just my two cents.:grin:

[gblick]

It might have been a worthwhile venture, if they had maintained the WTRR tradition of aging it for a full 10 years..

[GaryT]

It definitely was prominent on the sweet, which I like in a bourbon, although I haven't done a SBS with WTRB. My speculation is that they would be close, and to Ryan's point - WTRB is $15-$20 less. When I first cracked my RRSmBSB, I wasn't disappointed - but with ECBP, the up-coming Stagg Jr, etc - what was good value for $50 is a-changing

[LCWoody]

Remember that it's a single barrel. I liked the one I had. To me it was smoother than RB.

[GaryT]

Remember that it's a single barrel. I liked the one I had. To me it was smoother than RB.

Great point. I agree it was smoother as well, although I don't mind some bite. Thinking a blind SBS is in order

[ethangsmith]

I've found mine to be pleasant. If you like the Rare Breed, you'll find the palate of the Russell's Reserve Single Barrel to be familiar and likeable. Is it a home run? No. But it's certainly a nice whiskey at a respectable proof (Sorta NOT like the 81 rye...).

[smokinjoe]

I have loved my bottle. Outside of the one offs (Tribute, American Spirit, etc) for my tastes, it is the best whiskey Turkey has put out in recent years.

[zillah]

I recently did a review of this:

Russell's Reserve Small Batch Single Barrel (Non-chill filtered, 110 proof)

Nose: crushed smarties, honey, fresh oak, mint, orange peel, sultanas, leather, sour cream, toffee, tobacco, grass

Taste: Oranges, white raisins, vanilla and loads of toffee followed by cinnamon, clove and splintering oak mid-palate, then an end of mint, sticky honey and allspice; oily and velvety mouth-feel

Finish: medium to long of jagermeister, cinnamon hots, kumquats, and heath bar

Overall: Wow, this is quite the toffee bomb. This bourbon is loaded with it in the nose, taste and finish, which is great because toffee just so happens to be my favorite! Of course there are many flavors to help back it up, but they are not as pronounced. It is not as complex as I would have hoped - this whiskey centers mostly on the woody notes with some dried fruits and sweet candy, which really define the term honey barrel. I am also happy to say Eddie Russel was able to retain some of that grassy barnyard rye funk that I find in Wild Turkey 101 that the RR10 was just not strong enough to showcase. Either way, this probably is one of the best that Wild Turkey has to offer. Its not something that will have you searching for the meaning of life - the flavors are pretty straight forward - but nothing is better than a nice big pour into a tumbler for some good easy drinking.

[GaryT]

Just did a blind sbs with RB and RRSB, and found it was quite easy to identify them (and I absolutely preferred the RRSB over the RB). The RRSB was more complex and sweeter, although still not sure I'll buy another at $50 (but that's just me). If you like sweet, I'd definitely take a shot at it. Agree with Joe - it's better than anything I've had coming out of WT recently (specialty offerings aside).

[Stormeh]

Thanks for the impressions all! Sounds like consensus is that it's good, but maybe not $50 good. I'll still give it a whirl and post back some impressions.