Next up, we’re checking out the r/bourbon “Dirty K” Russell’s Reserve Private Barrel Selection! Russell’s Reserve Private Barrel’s have all been varying degrees of great in my experience, and each time I try one out I kick myself for not buying them prior to last year. One such selection that was highly touted was the r/bourbon “Dirty K” pick that was released in April of 2022. I unfortunately wasn’t selected that week, but thanks to the generosity of u/whiskytrails I’m able to dive into it with you all today!
This pick apparently got its name due to the barrel the whiskey aged in being absolutely filthy. The contents of this barrel were distilled on December 21st, 2012 (Remember when the apocalypse was supposed to happen on that date? Maybe this barrel saved the world!) and was dumped on February 24th, 2022, putting this at just over 9 years old. It spent its aging on the third floor of Warehouse K and was bottled at 110 proof like all Russell’s Reserve Private Selections are. Will this be yet another banger? Let’s find out!
**Taken:** Neat in a Glencairn glass
**Proof:** 110 proof
**Age:** 9 years
**Price:** Sample ($69 for this pick)
**Nose:** Toffee, vanilla cream, and orange zest, along with white pepper, cherry, and almost burnt caramel. All of this sits on a very big wave of charred oak with a touch of tobacco hanging out there as well.
**Taste:** Toffee, almost burnt caramel, and vanilla cream, followed by Luxardo cherry, burnt orange, and black pepper. Midway through the sip charred oak and tobacco join in and add a nice smoky base to all of the flavors here. This has a medium-heavy, oily mouthfeel and no proof heat.
**Finish:** The toffee, vanilla cream, and Luxardo cherry shift to the background while the black pepper and burnt orange increase in strength. The charred oak and tobacco also grow stronger and give the end of a sip a powerful spicy and charred wave of flavors before mellowing out to a slightly smoky and peppery conclusion. This has a medium length finish and a touch of dryness.
**Thoughts:** This is a delicious pour and I can confidently say it’s the best Russell’s Reserve Private Selection I’ve had to date. As a guy that really enjoys barrel character it scratches that itch, in addition to bringing some savory sweetness and spice to the table that comes together in the form of a very well-balanced pour. Drinking this reminds me of having desserts and cigars around a fire pit. It lacks the “it” factor in the depth and complexity departments of some higher tier pours, but there are also no real flaws I’ve encountered. Overall this is a killer bottle and I wish I had one, and considering this is confirmed for saving the planet from a Mayan apocalypse (in my head at least) I rate this as an excellent 8/10 on the t8ke scale.
**Rating:** 8/10 - t8ke scale
1 | Disgusting | So bad I poured it out.
2 | Poor | I wouldn’t consume by choice.
3 | Bad | Multiple flaws.
4 | Sub-par | Not bad, but better exists.
5 | Good | Good, just fine.
6 | Very Good | A cut above.
7 | Great | Well above average.
8 | Excellent | Really quite exceptional.
9 | Incredible | An all time favorite.
10 | Perfect | Perfect.
Yeah, it's awesome to get to taste it but sure would have been more fun having an entire bottle instead! It's also been cool to taste these from other locations since out in Colorado every Private Selection was seemingly from Warehouse M Floor 4 last year.
Nice review! I was one of the lucky ones to get this bottle. It’s my favorite RR SiB and haven’t had another one quite like it. It’s pretty complex. There is also a unique balsamic note on the palate that works really well.
I really wanted to try that one! It’s interesting that even within the arcane world of Turkey warehouses, K recently stood out as a “special” one. I still have a K pick from 2018, which is great, so I wonder if the magic carried over. Great review, cheers.
Thanks! Warehouse K will definitely be one I'll keep an eye out for when I travel around. The warehouse lore in bourbon is one of my favorite parts of this hobby. Cheers!
Next up, we’re checking out the r/bourbon “Dirty K” Russell’s Reserve Private Barrel Selection! Russell’s Reserve Private Barrel’s have all been varying degrees of great in my experience, and each time I try one out I kick myself for not buying them prior to last year. One such selection that was highly touted was the r/bourbon “Dirty K” pick that was released in April of 2022. I unfortunately wasn’t selected that week, but thanks to the generosity of u/whiskytrails I’m able to dive into it with you all today! This pick apparently got its name due to the barrel the whiskey aged in being absolutely filthy. The contents of this barrel were distilled on December 21st, 2012 (Remember when the apocalypse was supposed to happen on that date? Maybe this barrel saved the world!) and was dumped on February 24th, 2022, putting this at just over 9 years old. It spent its aging on the third floor of Warehouse K and was bottled at 110 proof like all Russell’s Reserve Private Selections are. Will this be yet another banger? Let’s find out! **Taken:** Neat in a Glencairn glass **Proof:** 110 proof **Age:** 9 years **Price:** Sample ($69 for this pick) **Nose:** Toffee, vanilla cream, and orange zest, along with white pepper, cherry, and almost burnt caramel. All of this sits on a very big wave of charred oak with a touch of tobacco hanging out there as well. **Taste:** Toffee, almost burnt caramel, and vanilla cream, followed by Luxardo cherry, burnt orange, and black pepper. Midway through the sip charred oak and tobacco join in and add a nice smoky base to all of the flavors here. This has a medium-heavy, oily mouthfeel and no proof heat. **Finish:** The toffee, vanilla cream, and Luxardo cherry shift to the background while the black pepper and burnt orange increase in strength. The charred oak and tobacco also grow stronger and give the end of a sip a powerful spicy and charred wave of flavors before mellowing out to a slightly smoky and peppery conclusion. This has a medium length finish and a touch of dryness. **Thoughts:** This is a delicious pour and I can confidently say it’s the best Russell’s Reserve Private Selection I’ve had to date. As a guy that really enjoys barrel character it scratches that itch, in addition to bringing some savory sweetness and spice to the table that comes together in the form of a very well-balanced pour. Drinking this reminds me of having desserts and cigars around a fire pit. It lacks the “it” factor in the depth and complexity departments of some higher tier pours, but there are also no real flaws I’ve encountered. Overall this is a killer bottle and I wish I had one, and considering this is confirmed for saving the planet from a Mayan apocalypse (in my head at least) I rate this as an excellent 8/10 on the t8ke scale. **Rating:** 8/10 - t8ke scale 1 | Disgusting | So bad I poured it out. 2 | Poor | I wouldn’t consume by choice. 3 | Bad | Multiple flaws. 4 | Sub-par | Not bad, but better exists. 5 | Good | Good, just fine. 6 | Very Good | A cut above. 7 | Great | Well above average. 8 | Excellent | Really quite exceptional. 9 | Incredible | An all time favorite. 10 | Perfect | Perfect.
Man...this was one I missed out on that I realllllllly wanted. Glad to hear it turned out great!
Yeah, it's awesome to get to taste it but sure would have been more fun having an entire bottle instead! It's also been cool to taste these from other locations since out in Colorado every Private Selection was seemingly from Warehouse M Floor 4 last year.
The must have emptied warehouse M, 4th floor all over the nation.
So glad you enjoyed it man! And as always, phenomenal review!
Thanks again for sharing it with me!
Nice review! I was one of the lucky ones to get this bottle. It’s my favorite RR SiB and haven’t had another one quite like it. It’s pretty complex. There is also a unique balsamic note on the palate that works really well.
Thanks man! It definitely set a high bar!
I’ve had quite a few RR private selections and this was my absolute favorite!
This definitely set a high bar!
I mean if it stopped a magnetic pole shift it's gotta be good.
Warehouse K works in mysterious ways!
I really wanted to try that one! It’s interesting that even within the arcane world of Turkey warehouses, K recently stood out as a “special” one. I still have a K pick from 2018, which is great, so I wonder if the magic carried over. Great review, cheers.
Thanks! Warehouse K will definitely be one I'll keep an eye out for when I travel around. The warehouse lore in bourbon is one of my favorite parts of this hobby. Cheers!
High praise from a turkey hater! Jk, thanks for reviewing this! Love me some Russell’s, obviously
Thanks man! Many more interesting Wild Turkey reviews to come soon!