RUSSELL’S RESERVE SINGLE BARREL #514 PICK FOR GORDON’S FINE WINES IN WATHAM MA

 

Russell's Reserve Single Barrel for Gordon's Fine WinesRegion – Kentucky  – Special pick by and for Gordon’s Fine Wines– Single Barrel # 514 Rick House “T” – Floor 6, 55% ABV (multiply ABV x 2 to get “proof” – I really prefer the use of ABV, less multiplication, and more direct – come on America!!!).

A week or so ago I reviewed a single barrel pick of Russell’s Reserve by and for Warehouse Liquors in Chicago. As promised in that post, I’d be reviewing the RRSB bottle I purchased at Gordon’s Fine Wines.

Below is said review.

Spoiler alert — I really enjoyed this single barrel pick. It was the first RRSB that ticked all the boxes (as far as ‘Murrican whiskeys go) for me.

Russell's Reserve Single Barrel for Gordon's Fine WinesOn the nose — A hot, dank, and damp warehouse with wafts of charred oak in the air.

Heavily spiced, and warmed apple sauce.

Getting pop corn (like with the Warehouse barrel pick) but the corn has yet to be popped.  Whole kernel, yet buttered, and it’s specifically the smell of the taste of these whole kernels.

Russell's Reserve Single Barrel for Gordon's Fine WinesBaking spices, damp earth maraschino cherries.

In the mouth — Corn bread with jalapeño, and a honey glaze.  Very sweet, yet spicy verging on hot.

Maraschino sauce over melting vanilla ice cream.

Russell's Reserve Single Barrel for Gordon's Fine WinesRemember that maraschino sauce I mentioned? (It was literally the last sentence – if you don’t remember it, you better sober up and come back to re-read.)

The mouth feel is *that* thick.

Tasting notes aside, this is an easy drinkin’ whiskey.

Back to tasting notes (broad brush), there’s some wonderful rye spice as we near the finish.

Finish — Very long with specific notes of sugar & lime on a white kernel corn cob.

In sum — Like I said, I really enjoyed this whiskey.  It’s an easy drinker. There really was not need to dissect this as it’s the type of whiskey that you could mindlessly enjoy.  At the same time, it can be picked apart to discover wonderfully delicious notes.