$30 for 90 proof, 10 year bourbon? Sounds familiar, like they're competing with someone... For me, the only part of this that can compete with Eagle Rare is the nose. The nose on Russell's is amazing - it pours on the sweet and complex burnt barrel sugars with a hint of cinnamon spice. No hardware store oaky-ness that I would expect from a 10 year old product. After the nose, the palate can't deliver - I get the classic Turkey bitterness, with lots of drying spice and no sweet. The wood also just seems off to my desired palate - not deep and complex, but rather hot and bitter. Finish is spicy, both cinnamon and pepper and other nondescript 'baking spices'. Fades to a little bit of oak, and just a hint of sweetness shows it's head and a surprising amount of smoke comes through too. But this is not a sweet and caramel profile. I'd say spicy, dry, and bitter. Frankly, to be honest, I'm not the biggest fan of anything Turkey. I'm not sure if it's the lower entry proof, the yeast strain, or that little bit of added rye to the mashbill. Is Russell's Reserve a fine bourbon? Sure. Would I be incredibly disappointed if this was handed to me at a bar, or showed up in a blind taste testing? Not at all. Will I personally reach for it in the stores to spend my money on? No, and that's why it falls short of the 3.75 'buy' endorsement.