The Basics: 

Wild Turkey Distillery

104 Proof - NCF

NAS

$65 MSRP

Nose:

Leather, caramel, mint, toasted coconut, macadamia nut, allspice, vanilla, and macadamia nut.

Palate: 

Tart strawberry, oak, cherry, cinnamon, light mint, leather, and powdered sugar sweetness similar to a strawberry Pop-tart.

Finish:

Cherry candy, toasted coconut, nutmeg, cinnamon, and cayenne pepper.

Final Thoughts:

Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel Rye remains true to what you would expect from the Wild Turkey Distillery, with bold and spicy whiskies. The nose opens with dark leather, mint, and toasted coconut, which carry through all the way to the finish. The palate reveals rich red fruits of cherry and strawberry alongside a powdered sugar note that in combination reminds me of a toasted strawberry Pop-tart. Spice comes alive on the back-end of the finish with cinnamon and cayenne pepper. Russell’s Reserve Rye Single Barrel is one of the last offerings from Wild Turkey that I have somehow overlooked for years, even though I am a huge fan of Wild Turkey 101 Rye. This expression brings much darker notes than their other ryes, and is certainly one to try if you have also passed it up for far too long!