Russell's Reserve Reintroduces Its Prized 13-Year-Old Bourbon
In what's become a tradition of sorts, Russell's Reserve's 13-year-old bourbon is about to make its annual comeback. The award-winning limited-release Kentucky bourbon first debuted in 2021, and master distiller Eddie Russell crafted the blend to pay special homage to his father and fellow master distiller Jimmy Russell. The result is a smooth yet strong bourbon with notes of dried dark fruit and a charred sweetness with undertones of honey, chocolate, and nougat.
The prized blend represents the distillery's oldest expression, a term used to identify the youngest whiskey used to create the signature taste the distiller has in mind. In the case of Russell's Reserve's limited-time offering, that means the bourbon from the youngest barrel in the blend is 13 years of age and "opts not to chill filter" so that it can maintain its potent flavor.
The annual release date, timed to coincide with Father's Day, has personal meaning for its creator. "This bourbon is a personal favorite of mine and I am proud to bring it back this year in time for Father's Day. I know I'll be raising a glass with my father and son," Eddie Russell states.
An esteemed bottle of bourbon
This father-son collaboration open in 1998, and the early incarnations of Russell's Reserve — the brand's now-signature 10-year-old bourbon — hit the market in 2001. In the 20-plus years since its launch, Russell's Reserve's roster has grown to include a variety of bourbon and rye whiskeys originally produced by Wild Turkey but currently owned by Campari Group.
Fred Minnick, a well-regarded spirits critic and best-selling author, says the barrel-proof bourbon is "power and elegance in a single glass." This beacon of the Russell family's craftsmanship also earned a Double Gold medal at the 2023 San Francisco World Spirits Competition — the oldest and largest competition of its kind — where it was judged in a field of more than 5,500 entries from around the world.
This year's release of Russell's Reserve 13-year-old bourbon will roll out in mid-June at national retailers priced at $150 per 750-milliliter bottle. It is also available at ReserveBar.com and Russell's Reserve newsletter subscribers get early notification and access.