An extremely limited run (2,070 bottles) of bourbon, the whiskey in the Russell’s Reserve 1998, was initially set aside to celebrate a future milestone for Jimmy Russell. However, fate sometimes has other ideas about what should be done with barrels of whiskey. A few weeks ago I was out at Wild Turkey, which is where I was drinking this, among other things, and Eddie gave us all the backstory on the RR 1998.
The story as Eddie tells it is that he was checking on these barrels, since they were for a special project (below), and he noticed that they were evaporating a whole lot faster than expected. He pulled samples and took them to his dad (Jimmy) to try and after some discussion, they dumped the barrels into a steel holding tank towards the end of 2014 making this officially a 15-year-old bourbon (due to distillation date).
Bottled at 104 proof and priced at $250 it’s the most expensive Wild Turkey released to-date.
Russell’s Reserve 1998 Review Review: Details and Tasting Notes
“Typically, a Bourbon this old picks up a lot of flavor from the barrel and can taste quite woody and dry. We like to retain the caramel, vanilla and fruity notes in our whiskies and this particular liquid seemed to reach a sweet spot around the 15 year mark,” said Master Distiller Eddie Russell. “It was important for us to stop the aging before those less desirable flavors took over the overall profile of the Bourbon. I guess I am going to have to find another Bourbon to celebrate Jimmy’s retirement… if that ever happens.”
Russell’s Reserve 1998 price, ABV, age and other details
Region: Kentucky, USA
Distiller: Wild Turkey
Mash Bill: 75% Corn, 13% Rye, 12% Malted Barley
Cask: New Charred Oak
Age: 15 years
ABV: 51.5%
Cask Strength | Non-Chill Filtered | Natural Color
Price: $250
Russell’s Reserve 1998 Tasting Notes
EYE
Dark caramel
NOSE
Heavy woody dark sweets mix with thick notes of spice, cherry heavy dark fruit, a mild vanilla and an oily nuttiness. Hints of dust and peppery citrus peel come through lightly and add a nice facet to the complex nose.
PALATE
That cherry heavy dark fruit moves up accompanied by solid notes of wood, complex dark sweets and spice. Light notes of vanilla, citrus, leather and sweet tobacco keep things interesting. Hints of candy corn, burnt sugar and an almost salty savoriness come and go as it moves across the palate.
FINISH
Long, rustic, warm and spicy with a nice bit of wood and dark sweets.
BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
Great balance, thick body and heavy velvety texture. A joy to drink.
Russell’s Reserve 1998 Review: OVERALL
For my senses, this is damn near bourbon perfection. The Russell’s Reserve 1998 is elegant, complex, robust and all the other positive descriptors you can throw at it. This is the whiskey I would choose to have as my last sip on earth if afforded that nicety.
The aroma is pure oaky pleasure layered with deep and complex sweet and rustic profiles. The palate goes a bit heavier on the rustic side and then finishes out oaky and sweet. It’s elegantly brutal in its weight, depth and complexity. It’s going to be tough for Wild Turkey, or anyone, to top this… but I’m hoping someone does.
SCORE: 98/100 (A+)
Russell’s Reserve 1998 Review
Russell’s Reserve 1998 Review
Russell’s Reserve 1998 is solidly a “collectors only bottle”. Value doesn’t exist in this realm, but I will say this. If I were in a position to lob $250 at a bottle and not care, I’d snatch this one up in a heartbeat. But I’m not so I won’t be.
Overall
- Nose - 98
- Palate - 98
- Finish - 98
- Balance, Body & Feel - 98
User Review
( votes)( reviews)
Hey Josh,
I read your review on the K&L Private Single Barrel RRSiB and you graded it a 98. A grade of 93 on the 1998 RRSmB. Would your grade be higher on the 1998 if the price was not $250?
Just curious because I have been through 3 standard “off the shelf” RRSiB and have enjoyed them all. May have the opportunity to purchase the 1998…lets just say a early Christmas gift to myself. It’s a steep price tag & I would typically try a pour at a bar before purchasing but with the limited release that’s not an option. Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Keep up the great work!
Brian
As much as I love WT products (well, not the 81), I wonder what the hell they are thinking! $250 a bottle!!!! The Diamond Anniversary is gathering dust and they issue a bottle at twice the price!!! They need to concentrate their efforts in bringing back the quality they had in the Rare Breed and others. The 112 ABV RB is not near the quality of the older 108. WT listen up! I’m an old customer and you will lose me and others if you continue to let your main product lag!
Oh, by the way, nice review, as always.
Thank you and yeah that $250 price is a killer. I had the 112 RB when I was at the distillery, but haven’t done it in a SBS with the old 108. Sounds like a good test.
Cheers!
I compared the RB108, RRSB and ECBP #6 today. The 108 is the most spirity with a touch of acetone and a whisper of dill. Also had a “red hots” spiciness that tingled the tip of the tongue. The SB had a noticeable wooziness, but was more complex and subdued. Ginger spiciness arrives late and hits the middle of the tongue. BP has a great nose and a brown sugar influence that is also in the taste and finish. Also a lot more wood influence. All great whiskies.
“Woodiness”