Skymecca
Russell's Reserve Single Barrel Bourbon
Bourbon — Kentucky, USA
Reviewed
September 21, 2020 (edited October 27, 2020)
My first experience with high proof bourbon and wow is this memorable. It is over 55% alcohol yet totally drinkable neat. The nose is layered with cinnamon, baking spice, red fruit sweetness and alcohol although it isn't that strong and a bit difficult to pick apart. In the mouth, this is viscous, syrupy, heavy fruit and baking spice, like a pie! And yet it isn't overwhelming and doesn't burn. Chewing this is so great - it makes your tongue and cheeks tingle and makes the finish last a long time. Finish is a bit sweet with a spicy rye kick. This thing is pretty lit and reasonably priced at $55. Have to try Rare Breed next to see if I can get a similar experience for $10 less.
55.0
USD
per
Bottle
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Sounds like I'll have a fun time comparing these two regardless!
@BeppeCovfefe I'll need to open new bottles of RR SiB and RB so I can compare them fresh (what a tragedy), but while I probably prefer RB (at least for the money), my RR SiB is definitely smoother and doesn't have that weird bit to it that @WhiskeyLonghorn mentioned.
@Whiskylonghorn I suspect there's enough variation in Rare Breed and RR SiB, that you could pick up one of each on different days and come away feeling the opposite on the next day. I just happened to pick up a tremendous bottle of Rare Breed, but maybe the Russells was not among the best of it's brethren. Comparing would be a lot easier if we were all tasting exactly the same thing, but of course we aren't.
Yea you do need to get the Rare Breed next, not everyone agree's w/ me but I think it is better than the RR SB, and for less moula.
My favorite of the WT core line. I found this more refined and flavourful than Rare Breed, which is much more dusty and aggressive with the alcohol punch, but there’s plenty of folks here that prefer RB over the RR SiB so it’s all about dialling in what your palate prefers!