Dreaming-of-Islay
Russell's Reserve Single Barrel Bourbon
Bourbon — Kentucky, USA
Reviewed
July 12, 2017 (edited August 15, 2017)
Whatever barrel I tried has some great characteristics, and it's clear they pick exemplars of classic bourbon flavors. That being said, the one I had exhibited a slight (and interesting) twist! The very first whiff off the nose was reminiscent of balsamic vinaigrette, which immediately intrigued me. The subsequent scents were pure vanilla, caramel, and another unexpected note: strawberry shortcake. A first-rate nose. The palate falls more in line with the quintessential bourbon profile: honey, caramel, butter, a bit of bite from the high proof, and a strong swirl of wood tannins (maybe a hint too much). Then, right as I swallow, a flourishing of apples. The high proof makes this one a bit of a tongue burner, which is its only flaw, as it is a little tricky to spot all the flavors before the alcohol dulls the senses. The finish is warm, a tiny bit tart, and is where the wood fully expresses itself. It's a rich, vibrant wood, almost like young wood chips. The finish also is quite spicy, so much so that there's no detectable vanilla at the end, and only a little caramel. The empty glass smells like an antique piece of well-kept furniture. A very solid 4 out of 5.
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Haha yeah I was just joking about the old name (Russell's Reserve Single Barrel Small Batch) which was the most redundant and pointless name in bourbon. But I saw the new label at the bar today and now they're just calling it Single Barrel.
Although there is no clear definition, wouldn't small batch infer 2 or more barrels?