A little background
Russell’s Reserve 10 Year Old Bourbon is the flagship expression from Wild Turkey’s legendary father-and-son Master Distiller team, Jimmy and Eddie Russell. Bottled at 90 proof (45% ABV) and retailing for around $42.99, this small-batch bourbon is built on a mash bill of 75% corn, 13% rye, and 12% malted barley — a classic Kentucky bourbon grain recipe that leans into rich, sweet, and slightly spicy territory. It’s aged a full decade in No. 4 alligator char barrels, and that heavy char level plays a significant role in the deep caramel and vanilla character the whiskey is known for.
The story behind Russell’s Reserve 10 Year Old Bourbon is one of the more genuine in the industry. Eddie Russell developed this expression as a tribute to his father Jimmy — widely regarded as one of the greatest master distillers in bourbon history — while bringing his own vision to the table. Both signatures appear on every bottle, a nod to their shared mastery and to what Wild Turkey calls one of the only active father-and-son master distiller teams in the business. The result is a bourbon that’s meant to honor tradition while speaking to the modern drinker, and at ten years old, it has plenty of time in wood to back up that ambition.
(Tasted neat from a Glencairn Glass)
Color
Gold
| Mash Bill | Nose | Taste | Finish |
|---|---|---|---|
| 75% Corn, 13% Rye, 12% Malted Barley | Caramel, vanilla, aged oak, dried cherry, leather, baking spice, tobacco | Caramel, vanilla, rye spice, seasoned oak, dark chocolate, cherry, butterscotch | Cinnamon, clove, dry oak, vanilla, leather, nutmeg, toasted marshmallow |
In closing
At the end of the day, Russell’s Reserve 10 Year Old Bourbon is a reliable, well-rounded sipper that punches comfortably within its weight class. The nose is inviting — caramel, vanilla, and dried cherry with a pleasant leather and tobacco backbone — and the palate delivers on that promise with dark chocolate, butterscotch, and a nicely integrated rye spice. The finish is where things get a touch short for a ten-year-old bourbon, arriving with cinnamon, clove, and toasted marshmallow but not lingering quite as long as the age statement might lead you to expect. That said, the 90-proof bottling keeps everything smooth and approachable without sacrificing too much complexity.
At $42.99, Russell’s Reserve 10 Year Old Bourbon sits in a competitive but rewarding sweet spot in the market. It’s not trying to be a high-proof cult pick or a limited-release trophy bottle — it’s an honest, thoughtfully made bourbon that reflects decades of Russell family expertise. For everyday drinking or as a go-to recommendation for someone exploring aged bourbons, Russell’s Reserve 10 Year Old is absolutely worth your money and a bottle worth keeping on the shelf.
Russell’s Reserve 10 Years Old Bourbon Review
The Good
- Wonderful value
- Batch consistency
- Approachable
The Bad
- Low proof
