Swahili1
Russell's Reserve 15 Year Bourbon (2024 Release)
Bourbon — Kentucky, USA
Reviewed
July 19, 2024 (edited August 18, 2024)
Nose- this is such a complex and changing nose. At first it was oak, leatherbook and chocolate. Then with air more sweeter, fruit flavors come to the forefront- cherry, ripe red apple, fruit compote. Really have to study this one. The more it sits, the sweeter and fruiter the nose gets.
Palate- first thing that strikes me is the chewy viscosity. It is luxuriously coating. I get a hit of cherry cough drop followed by musty leather and tobacco. There is some chocolate to it too. It takes it right to the verge of overoaked without being overoaked. There then becomes this sweetness like red crisp apples in apple pie. Not the more bitter granny smith, but those Washington state kind. It goes out on that note.
Finish- long oaky, apple pie finish with some nutmeg. It just keeps going and going until you sip the next one. Really good.
Overall- One of the best I have had to date. It is so complex and changing with every sip. To me, it is a bit of a Pappy Killer- I prefer this over that for the complexity, added spice, and beautiful balance. This takes RR13 batch 1 to a new level by imparting more oak without losing the fruit. Where RR13 was a fruit/caramel bomb, this is a fruit/chocolate/oak grenade! I hate the price, but love the liquid.
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@Swahili1 yeah, that is a hard pill to swallow as well.
I was lucky to pay the srp at 250.00 even at that it is stiff
@Swahili1 the price is outrageous…a local store here has it for $1000, and online it’s $500+