Russell’s Reserve Rye Whiskey from the Wild Turkey Distillery in Kentucky is what we have today, a 6 year old rye that comes in at 90 proof.
Proof: 90 (45%ABV)
Age: 6 Years
Mash Bill: 65% rye, 23% corn, and 12% malted barley
Color: Red tinted amber, or Auburn color.
Nose: Like standing in a bakery that just finished two loaves of bread, one rye and the other a sweet dessert roll. Very warm smelling and inviting, lots of rye, with some oak influenced notes of vanilla and caramel. There are some nutty hints as well.
Palate: The initial hit on the tongue is a little bit of sweet, but there is very little until it explodes onto the mid palate with tons of spice on the mid palate, allspice, cinnamon, white and black pepper, that all move into a buttery, smooth and lingering finish.
With a couple drops of water added:
Nose: Some more of the oak influence comes out, with the vanilla and nutty notes being more apparent. Still has the rye bread bakery nose.
Palate: Same smooth but almost non-existent start, but that move into a delicious mid palate again that is full of spicy flavors. The finish with water is like eating a warm, buttered rye bread roll.
Ratings:
A:88
Z:82
Overall: 85/100
The front of the palate being almost non-existent is a little disappointing, but the whiskey more that makes up for it with a big spicy mid palate and the smooth, rye bread and butter finish. There is a very minimal alcohol burn, making this a very easy to sip whiskey. Definitely one that is worth picking up and enjoying!
