Last Updated on: 30th April 2024, 05:23 pm
J Highland
J Highland is a certified sommelier with 30 years in the liquor industry, owning a pub, a liquor store, and moonlighting as a spirits distiller.
Discover everything about Russell’s Reserve 10-Year-Old Bourbon in this in-depth review that answers all your related questions!
Reviewed by: J Highland
Russell’s Reserve 10: A Reliable and Enjoyable Everyday Sipper
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Russell’s Reserve 10 year old bourbon seems to be a consistent crowd-pleaser for you. Here’s a breakdown of its key characteristics:
Strengths:
- Rich & Sweet Profile: This bourbon boasts a flavor profile rich in sweetness, reminiscent of Buffalo Trace with a touch more oaky character likely due to the extended aging.
- Balanced Warmth: It delivers a pleasant and satisfying warmth, making it enjoyable neat. A dash of water can further enhance the experience.
- Solid Everyday Sipper: The smooth profile and balanced flavors make it a great choice for everyday enjoyment.
- Less Dry Than Eagle Rare: While sharing some similarities with Eagle Rare, Russell’s Reserve 10 offers a less drying finish.
Considerations:
- Not a Showstopper: While very enjoyable, it might not be the most complex or unique bourbon for those seeking a statement piece for special occasions.
Verdict:
Russell’s Reserve 10 is a dependable and solid bourbon. It offers a rich and sweet profile with a touch more oak than Buffalo Trace and a less drying finish compared to Eagle Rare.
The balanced warmth and smooth character make it a fantastic choice for everyday sipping at a reasonable price point.
While it might not be the most complex bourbon, it delivers consistent quality and enjoyment, making it a great addition to any home bar, states whiskey expert Neil Coleman.
- Related: Best Russell’s Bourbons
- Learn more: Russell’s 10 Website
What is unique about Russell’s Reserve 10?
Russell’s Reserve is the premium line from Wild Turkey.
What sets it apart is its aging in select areas of the distillery, with barrel selection personally overseen by Eddie and Jimmy Russells, whose signatures grace each bottle label.
How does Russell’s 10 taste?
- Nose: Cinnamon, cherry, vanilla, oak
- Palate: Butterscotch, baking spice, charred oak, citrus
- Finish: Maple, brown sugar, charred oak
- Alcohol content: 90 proof (45% ABV)
- How to drink: Add water
- Similar to: Eagle Rare
Russell’s Reserve has a subtle and predominantly sweet aroma, with hints of fine spice and charred oak that add depth to the experience.
On the palate, this whiskey truly shines with its excellent mouthfeel and flavor profile that brings to mind a delicious Thanksgiving pie in a glass.
The combination of spices like cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, and vanilla creates a harmonious blend of flavors, complemented by a buttery texture.
As the journey comes to an end, the finish leaves a lasting impression with its rich character and very little heat.
Notes of maple syrup, brown sugar, vanilla, and the signature charred oak essence found in all Wild Turkey bourbons come together, leaving a nice and satisfying aftertaste.
FAQ:
A quick FAQ to address your doubts:
How to drink it?
Add water
Adding a few drops of water releases a bit of caramel making it easier to sip.
Adding ice just chills it but does not release caramel.
Mash bill
75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley
This is the same mash used by every Wild Turkey release, from the super basic Wild Turkey 81 to the Rare Breed.
Is it chill-filtered?
The 10 Year is a chill-filtered bourbon as most offerings at this price range.
If you want to try a non-chill-filtered bourbon try the Russell’s Single Barrel, which is bottled at a higher proof providing a bolder experience.
Alternatives
Russell’s is crafted by Wild Turkey, the difference lies in the barrels being hand-picked by Eddie Russell, and the bourbon is aged in a premium location within the distillery.
Despite these differences Russell’s tastes pretty much like the Wild Turkey 101, although this one is a bit bolder as it’s bottled at a higher proof.
The WT 101 is a champ in terms of value as it goes toe to toe with supposed premium bourbons making one that I can’t recommend enough.
Within the same Wild Turkey family, the Kentucky Spirit is another option.
This is a single-barrel release bottled at a higher proof, making a more refined iteration of the 101.
Another option is Woodford Reserve, which is lighter on the charred oak, bottled at the same proof, and sits at the same price range.
Is it good for beginners?
I recommend easier bourbon to newbies such as Maker’s Mark, which might be a bit boring and bland but serves as a better rite of passage.
Price
Prices are approximate and stated in local currency:
- United States$40
- Canada$55
- UK£50
- Australia $75
Alcohol content
Bottled at 90 proof, which is the minimum at which bourbon should be bottled, IMO.
Below that, you are basically drinking a watered-down dram.
Does it expire?
Alcoholic beverages do not expire
It will last for years as long as you store it in a cool place and away from the sunlight.
I strongly suggest drinking it ASAP once the content is down to 25% as liquors start developing awkward notes past this level.
How is it made?
After the grains are mashed and fermented, they are distilled to a lower proof than at other distilleries, meaning that less water is used in diluting the bourbon before it is aged and bottled.
After distillation, Russell’s is aged for at least 10 years in new American oak casks that have been charred with a #4 char.
Typically, the degree of charring within a barrel is measured on a scale of one to four, with a #1 char referring to barrels that have been slightly toasted, and a #4 char referring to barrels that have been charred so heavily that the interior resembles an alligator hide.
The heavy char is a signature feature across Wild Turkey releases.
Russell’s Reserve has a subtle and predominantly sweet aroma, with hints of fine spice and charred oak that add depth to the experience.
On the palate, this whiskey truly shines with its excellent mouthfeel and flavor profile that brings to mind a delicious Thanksgiving pie in a glass.
The combination of spices like cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, and vanilla creates a harmonious blend of flavors, complemented by a smooth and buttery texture that adds a luxurious element to each sip.
As the journey comes to an end, the finish leaves a lasting impression with its rich and indulgent character.
Notes of maple syrup, brown sugar, vanilla, and the signature charred oak essence found in all Wild Turkey whiskeys come together, leaving a nice and satisfying aftertaste.
How did I review Russell’s 10?
I run a pub and a liquor store, granting me extensive access to various spirits, in addition, I moonlight as a spirits distiller.
My evaluations include my insights and feedback from customers and patrons and whiskey expert opinions from Neil Coleman who has been for decades in the liquor business.
I also corroborate my views with online research to ensure accuracy.
Our ratings are determined primarily by four key factors: aroma, taste, finish, and value for money. While we do consider packaging, it is of lesser importance to us, as we prioritize the quality of the liquid inside over the aesthetics of the bottle.
⭐ – Poor, ⭐⭐ – Average, ⭐⭐⭐ – Good, ⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Very Good, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Excellent.
Russell’s 10 Year: Specs
| Type of Whisky | Bourbon |
| Age statement | 10 Years |
| Proof | 90 |
| ABV | 45 |
| Is it good? | Yes |
| Is it top-shelf? | No |
| Does it expire? | No |
| Sweet? | Yes |
| Warm? | Very little |
| Peaty? | No |
| Good for beginners? | No |
| Good for cocktails? | Not the best |
| Good with Coke? | No |
| Calories per shot | 108 |
| Gluten-free | Yes |
| Keto-friendly | Yes |