Review: Russell's Reserve 10 Year Old Small Batch Bourbon

For my third review, I have decided to take a look at the third whiskey that I ever purchased "with intent".  Or, better put, an intent other than simply getting drunk.

Expectations are a funny thing.  I originally purchased this bottle for the sole reason that I happen to share the same last name as the Wild Turkey master distiller that produced this product.  The novelty of the name on the bottle and a reasonable price was enough to induce the purchase, but, other than those facts, I knew nothing else about the whiskey and had no expectations.  I liked it well enough, mostly using it for old fashioned duty at a time when I had not yet adjusted to drinking spirits neat.

Years have gone by and my drinking experience has significantly deepened since that initial purchase.  While I tend to keep a bottle of this in the house due in part to that same novelty, I more often than not find myself reaching for "better", more exciting and typically higher proof bourbons than this, including its single barrel brother.  My current expectation of it is something that is drinkable but not particularly notable.  Not bad, not the best, just fine; a B-.

At least that was my expectation going into last week.  My wife encouraged us to spend a few days at my in-laws, so I took the opportunity to go to a nearby liquor store and pick up some reinforcements.  The selection was underwhelming, but I settled on a return to this classic as a "least worst" option sufficient to meet the task at hand.  I was pleasantly surprised.

Bottle: 45% ABV, 10 years old, ~$30, "straight bourbon whiskey", Laser Code of LL/DE191010 meaning this was bottled in May 2015

Nose: Very pleasant nose with classic bourbon flavors of caramel, vanilla and nutmeg, together with some citrus and peanut notes.  Additional aromas of chocolate/cocoa - more specifically fresh baked brownies and cocoa pebbles(?).

Taste: A medium-thin mouthfeel and finish give away its relatively low proof, but the flavors are more prominent and enjoyable than I expect with milk chocolate, orange peel and oak providing strong baking spice notes (nutmeg and cinnamon in particular) that linger into the finish.  There's just a touch of bitterness present too, but my main takeaway is that this turns into a baking spice bomb in all the right ways.

Thoughts: I was genuinely surprised by how much I enjoyed this bottle.  My expectation was for this to be a B-, my expectation for the next bottle I buy is that it will be a B-, but, if I am being fair to this liquid, it is better than that.  The proof holds it back from scoring even higher as it fails to reach the dense concentration of flavors I look for in really great bourbon, but I have not had many 90 proof bourbons at a remotely similar price point that I have enjoyed as much as this.

Rating: B+

Regarding the grading scale, my grades loosely track the LAWS Scale, and the threshold for what constitutes a "good" or "recommended" spirit will be set in the C+ to B- range. Price is not considered in assigning a rating.