Review #799; Bourbon #165: Russel’s Reserve Single Barrel “r/bourbon select 200 Grand”

This is the infamous single barrel selected for r/bourbon for crossing the 200k member threshold. Only 42 bottles came out and it never reached the 12 year mark, coming in at 11 years and 11 months. It was aged at Camp Nelson A and was bottled non-chill filtered.

ABV: 55%

Nose: Vanilla Chai, Black Pepper, Milk Chocolate, toffee, medium roast coffee

Palate: Thick oily mouthfeel, Toffee, Vanilla Chai, Black Pepper, Coffee, Dark Chocolate, Nutmeg, Turkey Funk, Touch of leather

Finish: Medium length finish, Toffee, Cinnamon, Vanilla Chai, Nutmeg, Dark Chocolate, Black Pepper, touch of leather

Rating: 8/10

What an excellent Russel’s Reserve barrel the lads picked out, and how regretful it came out short. Its rich with some sweetness from the vanilla, but it serves as a foil to the savory aspects, its loaded with baking spices, a touch of leather, black pepper, dark chocolate, and bit of bitter coffee that helps bring it all together while that weird funky turkey note (still struggle to describe it) dances all along the journey. I’ve had a few Russel’s Single Barrels and this is one of the best ones I’ve tried for sure. Great job by the pick team.

1 | Disgusting | So bad I poured it out.

2 | Poor | I wouldn’t consume by choice.

3 | Bad | Multiple flaws.

4 | Sub-par | Not bad, but better exists.

5 | Good | Good, just fine.

6 | Very Good | A cut above.

7 | Great | Well above average

8 | Excellent | Really quite exceptional.

9 | Incredible | An all time favorite

10 | Perfect | Perfect