Wild Turkey Russell’s Reserve 2002

Wild Turkey has unveiled Russell’s Reserve 2002.

This marks the first non-chill filtered, barrel-proof bourbon from the brand. To find liquid for the release, Master Distiller Eddie Russell searched through more than half a million barrels for the sequel to the Russell’s Reserve 1998. Only 25 barrels were chosen to create this spirit.

Russell found was a batch distilled in 2002 — the year the first-ever camera phone was introduced. While the world explored the wonders of mobile content capture, Russell laid the barrels to rest in Wild Turkey’s Camp Nelson rickhouses. They sat for 15 years.

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“When I tasted 2002 for the first time, I knew I couldn’t mess with it. It was exactly what I had envisioned, and I wanted Bourbon connoisseurs and collectors to experience the liquid in all its glory,” says Russell. “The sweet spot for our Bourbon is normally eight-to-12 years, but every now and then you find a barrel that defies expectations.”

Russell’s Reserve 2002 is a 114.6 barrel-proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon. It has a nose of stone fruits, pear, citrus, oak and a hint of white pepper, the company says. It features notes of grapefruit, white chocolate and gentle spice with a finish that is long and malty with notes of cream, banana and coconut.

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Bottles will be available in extremely limited quantities in TX, OH, CA, FL, NY, NC, Il, OR, GA, TN, WA, AZ, NV and KY for a suggested retail price of $249.99 each.

This is the newest in a line of innovative whiskies created by Russell. In the past several years, he has released some of the oldest bourbons to come out of Wild Turkey warehouses. This year, Russell and his legendary father, Master Distiller Jimmy Russell, celebrated 101 years of combined experience at the Wild Turkey distillery – an homage to the Wild Turkey 101 Bourbon that launched Jimmy’s career more than 60 years ago.

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