What were you doing on September 10, 1954? There’s a good chance, like most of our readers, you weren’t even born yet.
Why that date? That’s the day that now-Master Distiller and bourbon legend Jimmy Russell reported for his first day of work at Wild Turkey Distilling Co. It’s no surprise to see Russell called “the world’s longest-serving active spirits Master Distiller,” by Wild Turkey.
I’m sure there are lots of parties and pats on the back this week to help Russell celebrate his 70th anniversary with the Lawrenceburg, Kentucky distillery. And, of course, the distillery released a new bourbon this week to honor him: Wild Turkey Jimmy Russell’s 70th Anniversary 8-Year-Old Bourbon.
Russell joked, “In my eyes, I’ve never worked a day in my life. The day I do, I’ll retire. Until then, I’m going to continue making the bourbon I love.”
Stop by Wild Turkey for a tour and a taste. There’s a good chance Jimmy Russell will be sitting there in his favorite chair, ready to tell a story or two about his first 70 years in the bourbon business.
Wild Turkey Jimmy Russell’s 70th Anniversary 8-Year-Old Bourbon
Age: Eight-year bourbon, along with a blend of some eight and nine-year old product
ABV: 50.5 %
SRP: $50 (750 ml)
Tasting Notes (from the distillery): “Best served neat or on the rocks, the bourbon offers rich aromas of oak, honey, cinnamon and tobacco and tasting notes marked by sweet cream, butterscotch and black tea notes that transition to bitter chocolate, dark cherry and burnt sugar.”
"While it's hard to put Jimmy's impact on the bourbon industry into words, I can't think of a more fitting way to mark this milestone than with Wild Turkey Jimmy Russell's 70th Anniversary 8-Year-Old Bourbon. We chose a special blend of choice whiskies from a few of his favorite rickhouses, and at 101 proof, it's meant to be just what he loves most about bourbon. We can't wait for fans around the world to enjoy it, and in the words of Granddad himself – if you don't like it, he'll drink it."
