Wild Turkey Releasing 25 Barrels of Unfiltered, Uncut 15 Year Old Russell’s Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon

Posted on June 28, 2018
By Distillery Trail
In Blog

Wild Turkey Distillery - Russell’s Reserve 2002 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Could this be the Unicorn you’ve been looking for? Wild Turkey’s Master Distiller Eddie Russell is releasing the distilleries first non-chill filtered, barrel proof bourbon from the venerable brand. To find the amber liquid for the release, this Bourbon Hall of Famer spent years searching through more than half a million barrels for the perfect sequel to Russell’s Reserve 1998. This release is made up of 25 barrels that were filled in 2002 and have been maturing in Wild Turkey’s Camp Nelson rickhouses ever since.

This year, Eddie and his legendary father Master Distiller Jimmy Russell celebrate 101 years of combined experience at the Wild Turkey distillery – a touching homage to the Wild Turkey 101 Bourbon that launched Jimmy’s career more than 60 years ago.

“When I tasted 2002 for the first time, I knew I couldn’t mess with it. It was exactly what I had envisioned, and I wanted Bourbon connoisseurs and collectors to experience the liquid in all its glory,” said Master Distiller Eddie Russell. “The sweet spot for our Bourbon is normally eight-to-12 years, but every now and then you find a barrel that defies expectations.”

Stay Informed: Sign up here for the Distillery Trail free email newsletter and be the first to get all the latest news, trends, job listings and events in your inbox.

Made from a mingling of whiskies aged 15 years, Russell’s Reserve 2002 is a 114.6 barrel proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. Eddie says, “It has a nose of stone fruits, pear, citrus, oak and a hint of white pepper. It features notes of grapefruit, white chocolate and gentle spice with a finish that is long and malty with notes of cream, banana and coconut.”

This 2002 Russell’s Reserve Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey has a suggested retail price of $249.99. Russell’s Reserve will be available in limited quantities in TX, OH, CA, FL, NY, NC, Il, OR, GA, TN, WA, AZ, NV and KY.