Russell’s Reserve 15
Overall Score: 7.75/10
Overall Value: 2.5/5
Distillery: Wild Turkey
Classification: Straight Bourbon
Company: Campari Group
Release Date: July 2024
Proof: 117.2
Age: 15 Years
Mashbill: 75% Corn, 13% Rye, 12% Malted Barley
Color: Amber
MSRP: $250 (2024)
The Barrel Bros’ Review
The nose of the Russell’s Reserve 15-year is a combination of sweet and fruity notes, dominated by blackberry and red grape, with hints of red apple. As it opens, layers of brown sugar, baking spices, and marshmallow emerge, accompanied by vanilla custard and subtle oak rickhouse notes. It’s a standout nose that showcases depth and balance.
The palate delivers a silky-smooth mouthfeel that feels lighter than its 117.2 proof. The initial flavors include semi-sweet cherry, raisin, and a hint of brown sugar. However, the sweetness fades as the profile transitions to drier, oak-driven notes. While complex, the flavors don’t pack as much punch as the nose suggests, making it feel somewhat basic for a premium pour.
The finish is where Russell’s Reserve 15 truly shines. The long and lingering finish is sweet and fruity, with cherry and a touch of raisin complemented by dominant oak. The oak’s presence is strong but balanced, although it may lean too dry for some. The finish leaves a warm, numbing effect and coats the palate beautifully, with the cherry flavors lingering just enough.
Russell’s Reserve 15-Year Bourbon is a well-crafted, mature whiskey that offers complexity and richness at every stage. Its $250 MSRP and high secondary market price reflect its premium status. While the cherry and oak profile may not suit everyone’s preferences, fans of mature Wild Turkey expressions will likely find it a worthwhile investment.
If you’re looking for specific notes from our Barrel Bros, read their individual reviews below!
Individual Reviews
The Rye Guy Says
Score: 7.5/10
Value: 2/5
THE NOSE:
The nose is rich, fruity, and sweet with hints of red apple.
It has a nice dark undertone to it that brings the caramel, peanut, and occasional raisin.
It has a pleasant richness to it like vanilla custard, that accompanies the old oak rickhouse notes.
THE TASTE:
It has a silky smooth mouth-feel, that initially feels lower proof than 117.2.
The initial flavors are a semi-sweet cherry or raisin.
The last half of the palate moves to the oaky and dry side.
THE FINISH:
The finish has that tongue and mouth-numbing effect, and the oak really starts to take over.
A bit of that cherry flavor remains for a decent amount of time, but it doesn’t stick to the mouth like I was expecting.
BUY OR PASS?
It’s easy to tell this is a mature, quality whiskey with many dimensions, however, most of the notes it develops are unfortunately not my preference. I’m sure there are Wild Turkey fans who will love this pour, but cherry and oak are not my preference.
I didn’t find any of the peanut profile on the palate or the finish, which has been prominent in every other Russell’s pour I’ve tried.
The Hunter Says
Score: 8/10
Value: 3/5
THE NOSE:
Sweet and fruity with a standout blackberry note, followed by red grape.
As it opens, brown sugar and baking spices emerge, rounded out by a light touch of oak.
There’s also a marshmallow note that makes the nose my favorite part of the pour.
THE TASTE:
The sweetness and fruitiness continue, but it’s pretty straightforward.
There’s a hint of brown sugar, but it’s not a flavor-packed experience.
Most of the distinct notes don’t fully show up until the finish.
THE FINISH:
This is where it truly shines. It’s long, sweet and fruity, and coats the palate beautifully, leaving the flavors lingering for a while.
The oak comes through stronger here, but in a way that balances well with the sweetness.
While oak is the dominant note, it’s not overwhelming unless you’re sensitive to that profile.
BUY OR PASS?
Russell’s Reserve 15 feels like a major step up from the Russell’s 13 release. It’s clearly complex, which is what you’d expect from a bottle priced at $250+.
My only gripe is the lingering oakiness, but overall, it’s a standout pour that fans of mature bourbons will appreciate.
