Russell’s Reserve Private Selection “Toddy’s Twix VII”

BourbonReviewsAmerican WhiskeyWild TurkeySingle Barrel Picks

Oct 10

Written By David Levine

Russells Reserve Toddy's Twix VII Back.jpg

Russell’s Reserve Private Selection “Toddy’s Twix VII"

Wild Turkey

55% ABV/110 Proof

9Y, 9M, Distilled 12/4/2009 Dumped 9/11/2019

Warehouse F, Barrel 15-35, Floor 6

Eye: Golden honey. Thin rims and droplets, no legs.

Nose: Bourbon, but not blast-your-face-off strong. Cherry, oak, corn sweetness and a touch of proof heat. Deeper sniff lets out more Turkey character. Luden’s cherry lozenges.

Palate: Sweet - corn steamrolls in first with some baked rye and cherries behind it. Stone fruits and a little milk chocolate follow. Mouthfeel is tingly, coating, oily, and medium-bodied.

Finish: Again highlights cherries and stone fruits, though the sweet corn hug is there, too.

Overall: Classic RR profile, a bit sweet (which I don’t mind). Chocolate continues to build as you sip.

Rating: 7.2

10 | Insurpassable | Nothing Else Comes Close (Blanton’s Straight from the Barrel)

9 | Incredible | Extraordinary (GTS, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof B518 and B520)

8 | Excellent | Exceptional (12+YO MGP Bourbon, Highland Park Single Barrels)

7 | Great | Well above average (Blanton’s Original, Old Weller Antique, Booker’s)

6 | Very Good | Better than average (Four Roses Small Batch Select, Knob Creek 14+ YO Picks)

5 | Good | Good, solid, ordinary (Elijah Craig Small Batch, Buffalo Trace, Old Grand-Dad Bottled-in-Bond)

4 | Sub-par | Many things I’d rather have (A.D. Laws Four Grain, Compass Box “Oak Cross”)

3 | Bad | Flawed (Iron Smoke Bourbon, Balcones)

2 | Poor | Forced myself to drink it (Buckshee Bourbon and Rye)