Wild Turkey 101 8yr Jimmy Russell 70th Anniversary release

[mbroo5880i]

I saw it in a local grocery store that normally has reasonable prices. I passed on it at $78.99.

[Skinsfan1311]

3 hours ago, mbroo5880i said:

I saw it in a local grocery store that normally has reasonable prices. I passed on it at $78.99.

Easy pass....

[markandrex]

Thanks to the comments in this thread, my zen is intact for two months now.  I have far too many outstanding WT/RR picks to have FOMO over this offering.  It will be a pass for this flock member.

[LW25]

Several LS's around me have posted on Facebook that they have it, ranging from $50-60.  I saw it for $55 at another store last week, but didn't pick it up (yet).  If it's going to be widely available then I'll wait. Hopefully it'll be like Traveller - flooded the scene with a $40 price tag, a bunch of folks bought one, then it sat for a while and price started dropping to $25-30.  

[PaulO]

On 10/1/2024 at 11:39 AM, markandrex said:

Thanks to the comments in this thread, my zen is intact for two months now.  I have far too many outstanding WT/RR picks to have FOMO over this offering.  It will be a pass for this flock member.

My prediction - 

[Kepler]

On 10/1/2024 at 12:20 PM, LW25 said:

Several LS's around me have posted on Facebook that they have it, ranging from $50-60.  I saw it for $55 at another store last week, but didn't pick it up (yet).  If it's going to be widely available then I'll wait. Hopefully it'll be like Traveller - flooded the scene with a $40 price tag, a bunch of folks bought one, then it sat for a while and price started dropping to $25-30.  

I doubt it is going to be that widely available.  It's an 8 year old age stated bourbon from one of the more respected legacy distilleries for $50.  It won't be a shelf turd.

 

[Kepler]

On 10/2/2024 at 3:13 PM, PaulO said:

My prediction - 

Right.  Who is he kidding lol.

[fosmith]

I got an email this morning from a store in San Diego that does online sales selling the 101 70th for the discounted price of $110, marked down from $150.  Also, they listed it as Russel's Reserve 70th Anniversary.  SMH...

[GeeTen]

3 hours ago, fosmith said:

I got an email this morning from a store in San Diego that does online sales selling the 101 70th for the discounted price of $110, marked down from $150.  Also, they listed it as Russel's Reserve 70th Anniversary.  SMH...

 

 

[Harry in WashDC]

4 hours ago, fosmith said:

I got an email this morning from a store in San Diego that does online sales selling the 101 70th for the discounted price of $110, marked down from $150.  Also, they listed it as Russel's Reserve 70th Anniversary.  SMH...

Sounds like they be fishing for taters.

[Thomm]

More info on my experience with this bottle, FWIW.  Tonight I am revisiting for the third time, and was a bit underwhelmed by the prevalence of tannic elements which did not seem to allow any sweetness past.  A faint hint of vanilla surfaced, but nothing much to balance the bitter side.  

I added a few drops of water and those flavors began to show up.  Caramel and brown sugar, more vanilla, kind of a carmel corn thing started happening.  And it's lingering at the very back of the tongue and the roof of the mouth for quite a long time.  This is much more to my liking.  I very seldom think to add water to any bourbon, but I guess I should start rethinking this attitude.  IMHO, this is opening up rather nicely.  

It still lives several miles from Knock Yer Socks Off, but I will most definitely be adding a few drops from now on.  Anybody with a more experienced palate want to chime in here, I would love to hear your opinion.

[Richnimrod]

This is still not (widely?) available in The Mitten State.   I keep looking and asking; but, thus far I get responses that range from, 'Huh?' to 'I haven't heard when it'll be delivered.'   Hopefully it gets to retail outlets before it's a 'thing of the past'.

I don't have any expectation that it'll be that different from ordinary WT101; but, I'd like the keepsake bottle honoring Jimmy R.    I'll let y'all know if/when I see it.

[Special Reserve]

The owner of my favorite store has put in orders but has not received any product as of last Tuesday. I'll probably check with him again tomorrow when I'm out running errands.

[stevegoz]

Was happy to find this at one of Chicago's chain supermarkets for only $43 on Friday and enjoyed the neck pour that evening. Since it was at the location right by my parents' house, I asked them to snag me one as a Xmas gift too lol (they're already accustomed to getting my wife a handle of Maker's for her birthday and Christmas).

 https://images.untp.beer/crop?width=640&height=640&stripmeta=true&url=https://untappd.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/2024_10_11/49baeda2c31bee229922bb48537458f6_c_1424611995_raw.jpg

[fosmith]

I was able to order a bottle the other day for $60 from K&L's web site.  I would have gotten a pair like others in this thread but it was one per customer.  Looking forward to trying it and doing a SBS with one of my few remaining LL/G or LL/H bottles of regular 101 that reportedly had 10yo barrels blended in.  Those were outstanding, IMO.  

[Double C's]

4 hours ago, fosmith said:

I was able to order a bottle the other day for $60 from K&L's web site.  I would have gotten a pair like others in this thread but it was one per customer.  Looking forward to trying it and doing a SBS with one of my few remaining LL/G or LL/H bottles of regular 101 that reportedly had 10yo barrels blended in.  Those were outstanding, IMO.  

I still have several 1.75L of that laser code range in the bunker.

[Jazz Nut]

It's dropped in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area (picked two bottles up at Total Wine)!  Currently enjoying a pour, and a side-by-side with WT 101.  Really nice nose compared to WT101, but palate seems to be similar--but again it's a neck pour.  Still, I was pleased to find it for MSRP, and relatively soon after the release, as Minnesota always seems to be on the tail end of national releases.

[markandrex]

 

I caved!  No surprise.

 

[PaulO]

So far, WT has sent me two emails regarding this, announcing its' arrival.  I haven't seen one in the wild yet, but haven't looked hard either.  Indiana is usually near the last to get new stuff, if we get it at all.    

[Skinsfan1311]

10 hours ago, PaulO said:

So far, WT has sent me two emails regarding this, announcing its' arrival.  I haven't seen one in the wild yet, but haven't looked hard either.  Indiana is usually near the last to get new stuff, if we get it at all.    

Same....

[kcgumbohead]

On 10/14/2024 at 12:02 PM, fosmith said:

I was able to order a bottle the other day for $60 from K&L's web site.  I would have gotten a pair like others in this thread but it was one per customer.  Looking forward to trying it and doing a SBS with one of my few remaining LL/G or LL/H bottles of regular 101 that reportedly had 10yo barrels blended in.  Those were outstanding, IMO.  

Agreed those are outstanding, I stocked up myself as even if it turned out to not be true, having had that batch it was VERY enjoyable so, worst case I would up with several bottles from a particularly excellent batch, me thinkst that excellence is in fact due to some 10yr in those bottles.

[Richnimrod]

OK, here's my 'analysis' after doing a SBS between regular WT 101 and the Jimmie Russel 70th Anniversary edition at twice the price (or more).   Bear with me here (or don't; yer call), as I was pretty careful in doing the comparison, and took copious notes.

First "Ordinary 101".   

Color: Rich Amber. slight red/copper highlights.

Nose: Slightly 'musty' (rickhouse) aroma is obvious.   Oak, Burnt sugar, slight vanilla.

Palate: Lotsa caramel, nice 'baking spice mixture in the back palate exhibiting nutmeg, subtle clove note, brown sugar, hint of cinnamon, (or maybe allspice), black pepper, and a tiny hint of vanilla.   Alcohol burn is moderate, as expected for 101-proof.

Finish: Moderately long, fading from black-peppery to caramel, to vanilla, all with that underlying musty rickhouse note (which I don't object to).

 

Now, the 70th Anniverary 101.

Color: At least a shade deeper amber, maybe 2; darker, stronger red/copper highlights.

Nose: Way less "musty"!  Very Nice!  More vanilla, more brown sugar, oak is somewhat moderated, as is the burnt sugar; richer caramel, same 'spice rack' in the back palate, maybe a hint more clove, and tad less cinnamon (very subtle).   Alcohol burn is notably less (dare I say: SMOOTHER?).   Entire palate is very nicely "integrated".   One might describe it as a 'high-end-Bourbon', which I guess at fiddy bux it kinda is.

Finish: Moderately long like the regular 101.  And, fairly similar; but, with a bit more black pepper to begin, fading to very buttery caramel, to vanilla, and finally the impression of a "buttered hot biscuit".

 

I didn't try to do all this again with water added, to see what that might change, as I already could feel my palate tiring.  (Note: I had poured about 2-ounces each into standard glencairns, so plenty enough to tire it out, eh?)

 

So there ya' go!  FWIW.

[FacePlant]

2 hours ago, Richnimrod said:

OK, here's my 'analysis' after doing a SBS between regular WT 101 and the Jimmie Russel 70th Anniversary edition at twice the price (or more).   Bear with me here (or don't; yer call), as I was pretty careful in doing the comparison, and took copious notes.

First "Ordinary 101".   

Color: Rich Amber. slight red/copper highlights.

Nose: Slightly 'musty' (rickhouse) aroma is obvious.   Oak, Burnt sugar, slight vanilla.

Palate: Lotsa caramel, nice 'baking spice mixture in the back palate exhibiting nutmeg, subtle clove note, brown sugar, hint of cinnamon, (or maybe allspice), black pepper, and a tiny hint of vanilla.   Alcohol burn is moderate, as expected for 101-proof.

Finish: Moderately long, fading from black-peppery to caramel, to vanilla, all with that underlying musty rickhouse note (which I don't object to).

 

Now, the 70th Anniverary 101.

Color: At least a shade deeper amber, maybe 2; darker, stronger red/copper highlights.

Nose: Way less "musty"!  Very Nice!  More vanilla, more brown sugar, oak is somewhat moderated, as is the burnt sugar; richer caramel, same 'spice rack' in the back palate, maybe a hint more clove, and tad less cinnamon (very subtle).   Alcohol burn is notably less (dare I say: SMOOTHER?).   Entire palate is very nicely "integrated".   One might describe it as a 'high-end-Bourbon', which I guess at fiddy bux it kinda is.

Finish: Moderately long like the regular 101.  And, fairly similar; but, with a bit more black pepper to begin, fading to very buttery caramel, to vanilla, and finally the impression of a "buttered hot biscuit".

 

I didn't try to do all this again with water added, to see what that might change, as I already could feel my palate tiring.  (Note: I had poured about 2-ounces each into standard glencairns, so plenty enough to tire it out, eh?)

 

So there ya' go!  FWIW.

Thanks for a great review. Sounds like at an equal price you'd choose 70th? Maybe if your best bourbon buddy is on their way over 50ish would be very reasonable BUT I shouldn't make so many assumptions.  Thanks 

[Richnimrod]

1 hour ago, FacePlant said:

Thanks for a great review. Sounds like at an equal price you'd choose 70th? Maybe if your best bourbon buddy is on their way over 50ish would be very reasonable BUT I shouldn't make so many assumptions.  Thanks 

FWIW, I didn't think 50 bux far out for this one.   It is a good bit more carefully crafted, IMO.   ...And, the 'keepsake bottle' is worth a little 'extra', to me anyway.    I may (or may not?) get one more, just because.   It's a very nice pour.   Would it be likely to blow most folx hair back?  Probably not... me included.   It's certainly not in the class of WT-12-yr.    (Also, not close to the cheddar one might have to shell out for such.)      But, it was noticeably nicer than regular 101, which is already a fine pour.

[meadeweber]

17 hours ago, Richnimrod said:

OK, here's my 'analysis' after doing a SBS between regular WT 101 and the Jimmie Russel 70th Anniversary edition at twice the price (or more).   Bear with me here (or don't; yer call), as I was pretty careful in doing the comparison, and took copious notes.

First "Ordinary 101".   

Color: Rich Amber. slight red/copper highlights.

Nose: Slightly 'musty' (rickhouse) aroma is obvious.   Oak, Burnt sugar, slight vanilla.

Palate: Lotsa caramel, nice 'baking spice mixture in the back palate exhibiting nutmeg, subtle clove note, brown sugar, hint of cinnamon, (or maybe allspice), black pepper, and a tiny hint of vanilla.   Alcohol burn is moderate, as expected for 101-proof.

Finish: Moderately long, fading from black-peppery to caramel, to vanilla, all with that underlying musty rickhouse note (which I don't object to).

 

Now, the 70th Anniverary 101.

Color: At least a shade deeper amber, maybe 2; darker, stronger red/copper highlights.

Nose: Way less "musty"!  Very Nice!  More vanilla, more brown sugar, oak is somewhat moderated, as is the burnt sugar; richer caramel, same 'spice rack' in the back palate, maybe a hint more clove, and tad less cinnamon (very subtle).   Alcohol burn is notably less (dare I say: SMOOTHER?).   Entire palate is very nicely "integrated".   One might describe it as a 'high-end-Bourbon', which I guess at fiddy bux it kinda is.

Finish: Moderately long like the regular 101.  And, fairly similar; but, with a bit more black pepper to begin, fading to very buttery caramel, to vanilla, and finally the impression of a "buttered hot biscuit".

 

I didn't try to do all this again with water added, to see what that might change, as I already could feel my palate tiring.  (Note: I had poured about 2-ounces each into standard glencairns, so plenty enough to tire it out, eh?)

 

So there ya' go!  FWIW.

Great tasting notes!  Thanks for doing it!