Inspired by the unique conditions of the storied rickhouses at the Wild Turkey Distilling Co, the Single Rickhouse collection explores the often-unsung contributions specific barrel resting places can have on a whiskey’s final character. Each limited time offerings in the annual series features whiskey drawn entirely from a single rickhouse, celebrating the varied nuances of each aging environment. The collection seeks to prove that the where can be just as important as the how when it comes to exquisitely crafted whiskey, all while inviting Russell’s fans closer into the fold with more information about the origins and influences on their favorite bourbons.
The second entry in the series, the 2023 Russell’s Reserve Single Rickhouse from Camp Nelson F, is a rare bourbon, bottled from a small batch of barrels from the ‘center cut’ floors 4 and 5. Bottled at a barrel proof of 117.6, and non-chill filtered, this robust, long-lasting bourbon is meant to sip and savor.
Robust flavors of clove and white pepper give way to sweet notes of caramel, orange peel and dark fruits.
A lasting finish with honey and baking spice that gives way to tobacco and mature oak.
Wild Turkey’s Single Rickhouse bourbon series offers whiskey enthusiasts a unique opportunity to taste how different warehouse environments impact the flavor of the distillery’s bourbon. By drawing whiskey from a single rickhouse, the series spotlights how factors like airflow, humidity, temperature variations, and warehouse construction shape the maturation process.
In this in-depth guide we’ll take a deep dive into Wild Turkey’s Single Rickhouse releases – from the inspiration behind the series to tasting notes on the exceptional bourbons it has showcased so far. We’ll also look ahead at what future limited releases might explore.
The Origin Story of Wild Turkey’s Single Rickhouse Concept
The Single Rickhouse series was inspired by Wild Turkey’s long history of experimenting with different rickhouse locations to influence flavor. The distillery has three campuses in Kentucky – Tyrone, Camp Nelson, and McBrayer – each with its own distinct warehouses.
As this comparison of Kentucky Spirit bourbons from the three sites demonstrates, the environmental conditions impart noticeably different characteristics. For example, bourbon from Camp Nelson often exhibits more herbal, spicy notes.
By isolating bourbon to a single rickhouse, Wild Turkey can truly highlight how warehouse variability affects the maturation process. Location, airflow patterns, temperature swings, humidity, and rack placement all shape a bourbon’s final character. The Single Rickhouse concept explores this phenomenon.
Tasting Through the Series: Camp Nelson C and F
So far, Wild Turkey has released two limited edition Single Rickhouse bourbons, both focused on the Camp Nelson maturation campus.
Camp Nelson C (2022 Release)
The first release came from the now-dismantled Camp Nelson rickhouse C. Aged on floors 3 and 4, this bourbon was bottled at 112.4 proof. On the nose, it offers rich notes of maple syrup, citrus, and fresh baked bread. The palate delivers bold flavors like honey, cinnamon, and peppery rye spice. It finishes dry with lingering oak and tobacco.
Reviewers praised the complexity and balance of this inaugural batch. At 7-10 years old, it displays remarkable depth and intensity. The hand-selected “center cut” barrels ensure consistency as well. This bourbon highlights why Camp Nelson C was so special.
Camp Nelson F (2023 Release)
The newest Single Rickhouse release draws exclusively from Camp Nelson warehouse F, focused on floors 4 and 5. Bottled at barrel proof (117.6 proof), this bourbon packs a punch.
On the nose, it has robust aromas of oak, vanilla, cinnamon, dark cherry, and baking spices. On the palate, clove and white pepper lead into sweet caramel, orange peel and rich dark fruit notes It finishes long and layered with honey, tobacco and mature oak
This higher proof and extra aging result in a bourbon brimming with complexity. Reviewers describe a richness that keeps you coming back for more. The balance and variety of flavors make this single rickhouse release particularly special.
What Makes Single Rickhouse Bourbon Unique
Besides the obvious uniqueness of source Single Rickhouse releases deliver a one-of-a-kind experience by being non-chill filtered and bottled at barrel proof. This allows bourbon fans to taste the whiskey in its purest form.
Chill filtering, commonly used in bourbon bottling, prevents the whiskey from clouding when cold. But it also strips away flavorful and aromatic fatty acids, esters, and proteins. By skipping this step, Single Rickhouse bourbons retain a rich texture and robust profile.
The barrel proof bottling strength also showcases the bourbon’s natural proof right from the warehouse. At 100+ proof, you get more intense and concentrated flavors along with a rich, oily mouthfeel. This higher alcohol content doesn’t thin out the whiskey’s profile.
When you combine these approaches with a single warehouse source, the result is wonderfully distinctive bourbon.
What’s Next for Wild Turkey’s Single Rickhouse Series?
Wild Turkey has revealed some hints about what to expect next from the Single Rickhouse series. Here are a few possibilities:
- More Camp Nelson releases exploring warehouses A-E
- Bottlings from Tyrone standouts like warehouses E, K, Q, and V
- A focus on lower floors for more mature Bourbon
- Extra aged offerings 12+ years old
- Comparing multiple releases from the same warehouse over time
- Contrasting different warehouses in the same year
No matter what direction future limited editions take, this series has already proven itself to be an incredible opportunity for whiskey fans. Being able to isolate how factors like rickhouse design, rack placement, and microclimate affect maturation unlocks fascinating new insights into the bourbon crafting process. We can’t wait to see what stunning single barrel whiskey gets the spotlight next!
Finding and Enjoying Wild Turkey Single Rickhouse Bourbons
Due to their limited supply and high demand, tracking down bottles from Wild Turkey’s Single Rickhouse series takes a bit of bourbon hunting skill. Here are some tips:
- Check online whiskey retailers immediately after new releases are announced
- Build relationships with local liquor store owners who can hold bottles for you
- Join bourbon lottery programs at stores that use them to distribute rare bottles
- Make friends with bartenders at bourbon-focused bars where you might find a pour
- Follow bourbon groups on social media and ask members for sightings
- Be prepared to pay a premium – $150+ isn’t uncommon for these special releases
Once you secure that elusive bottle, be sure to enjoy the experience! Pour a glass neat or with a drop of water to open up the flavors. Savor the aromas before each taste. And take detailed tasting notes – you’ll want to document this unique whiskey.
The Single Rickhouse series offers a bourbon experience unlike any other. For aficionados who revel in the nuances of maturation, these limited batch whiskeys are an absolute treasure. We can’t wait to see what time and place Wild Turkey explores next!
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10 Year Old Bourbon
Wild Turkey Single Rickhouse Camp Nelson F | First T8ke
FAQ
How old is Russell’s single Rickhouse?
What is a single Rickhouse bourbon?
Is Wild Turkey whiskey top shelf?
How old is Wild Turkey single barrel?
Does wild turkey have a single Rickhouse Bourbon?
In 2022, Wild Turkey capitalized on this trend (and raised more than a few eyebrows) by launching its Single Rickhouse series, a batched bourbon sourced from a singular warehouse. Russell’s Reserve Single Rickhouse Camp Nelson C certainly caused a stir, both for its rich flavors and hefty $250 suggested price tag.
Does wild turkey have a Rickhouse?
Russell’s Reserve Single Rickhouse Camp Nelson C certainly caused a stir, both for its rich flavors and hefty $250 suggested price tag. Now, Wild Turkey is back for more, this time with another release from a nearby building on the same aging campus: Rickhouse F, which was built in the 1940s.
Is Russell’s reserve single Rickhouse a good whiskey?
A big price tag. The Russell’s Reserve Single Rickhouse series is proof of that, being an outlier in the Wild Turkey/Russell’s lineup that is at least partially defined on a daily basis by offering some of the best pure value on the whiskey shelf–look no further than the heroic work done every day by Wild Turkey 101.
What is Russell’s reserve single Rickhouse?
The promise of Russell’s Reserve Single Rickhouse is that it will capture the micro-terroir and flavors of not just one compound, but one specific warehouse. In the first release in the series last year, that was Camp Nelson C. This year, it’s Camp Nelson F, and wouldn’t you know it–the MSRP rose by another $50, to an even $300.