When you take your first sip of Wild Turkey 101, you’re tasting the life’s work of Jimmy Russell. At 88 years old, Russell has dedicated over six remarkable decades to crafting Wild Turkey’s iconic bourbons. His passion and commitment to quality shine through in every bottle.
Jimmy Russell’s career at Wild Turkey spans a staggering 68 years and counting. That makes him the longest tenured, active master distiller in the entire whiskey industry. While others have come and gone, Russell remains the heart and soul of Wild Turkey. His living legacy is an inspiration.
From Warehouse to Master Distiller
Russell first joined the Wild Turkey team back in 1954 at the tender age of 20. He started working in the distillery’s warehouses, gaining hands-on experience tending to the aging barrels.
Over the next two decades, Russell worked his way up through the ranks—from plant supervisor to distillery manager to master distiller in 1967 He’s been proudly holding that title ever since
Even in his late 80s Russell maintains an active role guiding Wild Turkey’s distilling operations. He relies on decades of whiskey wisdom to ensure consistency and quality.
Bringing Wild Turkey to the World
When Russell first punched the clock at Wild Turkey, the distillery was only producing about 15,000 barrels per year. Bourbon wasn’t nearly as popular as it is today.
Russell was instrumental in turning Wild Turkey into a global powerhouse brand. Under his leadership, the distillery grew to produce over 150,000 barrels annually at its peak.
He helped introduce Wild Turkey to international markets in the 1970s. Today you can find Wild Turkey expressions from Australia to Japan to South Africa and beyond.
Creating Timeless Classics
In addition to growing the brand, Russell developed some of Wild Turkey’s most beloved whiskey recipes over the years.
He cranked up the rye and created Wild Turkey 101 to give the bourbon more backbone. Russell Reserve Bourbon and Rye pay homage to his lasting legacy as master distiller.
Russell also introduced premium small batch offerings like Kentucky Spirit, Rare Breed, and Master’s Keep to showcase his innovative spirit.
Passing the Torch to His Son
In recent years, Jimmy Russell has started passing the reins to his son, Eddie Russell, who grew up immersed in the family business. Eddie has served as Wild Turkey’s associate master distiller since 1995.
Together, the father and son team represent an incredible 129 combined years of experience at Wild Turkey. They work side-by-side to maintain the distillery’s traditions while also pushing boundaries.
The Russells carefully cultivate Wild Turkey’s heritage and uncompromising standards for another generation. It’s all in the family.
A Revered Whiskey Icon
Jimmy Russell stands tall in the bourbon industry not just for his longevity, but also his integrity. He’s built a reputation as a distilling legend through his passion and commitment to excellence.
Russell has garnered numerous accolades over the decades. He’s been inducted into the Bourbon Hall of Fame and the Distiller’s Hall of Fame. The Whisky Advocate magazine has named him a Lifetime Achievement Award winner and an Industry Visionary.
Wild Turkey fans worldwide revere Russell for his major contributions in shaping their beloved bourbon into what it is today. At 88 years old, he shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon. Here’s to many more years of wisdom from this one-of-a-kind whiskey icon.
THE MAN BEHIND THE BOURBON
How one man’s spirit inspired a legend.
Dubbed the “Buddha of Bourbon” and “The Master Distiller’s Master Distiller” by his industry peers, James C. “Jimmy” Russell knows bourbon like he knows breathing. For an astounding 60+ years, Russell has been making whiskey at the Wild Turkey Distillery in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, and is currently the longest-tenured, active Master Distiller in the world. Growing up five miles from the distillery, he followed his father, who taught him the traditions and techniques of bourbon craftsmanship. From his first position at the distillery sweeping floors Jimmy learned early on that there was no job too small, and no task too tedious, when it comes to making bourbon the right way.
Jimmy’s passion for bourbon led him to study under such whiskey luminaries as Bill Hughes, Wild Turkey’s second Master Distiller, and Ernest W. Ripy, Jr., great-grandson of distillery founder James Ripy, Wild Turkey’s third Master Distiller. And if his unparalleled tutelage wasn’t enough, his family history and impeccable knowledge of bourbon carried him to the apex of his career as Master Distiller himself in the 1960’s. Today a part of an exclusive Kentucky bourbon brotherhood, Jimmy is a member of the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame™ and a whiskey judge for the International Wine and Spirits Competition. To this day, he is involved through the entire distillation and aging process of Wild Turkey Bourbon; his experience, wisdom, and closely held, time-honored bourbon-making secrets have solidified his glowing reputation and shine through in every single bottle.
Over the past 60 years, Jimmy has been responsible for the launches of a number of new Wild Turkey expressions, including but not limited to Tradition, Tribute, Rare Breed, American Spirit, Kentucky Spirit and Russell’s Reserve, which he co-created with his son and distilling partner Eddie Russell. Jimmy broke new ground in 1976 with the first honeyed Bourbon, at the time called Wild Turkey Liqueur. Today, fans know the evolution of that product as American Honey. Jimmy is also responsible for making sure the legacy of Wild Turkey stays intact; overseeing the production of Wild Turkey 101, Wild Turkey’s flagship brand.
In celebration of Jimmy’s 60+ years of service, the Wild Turkey global family decreed 2014 “The Year of Jimmy Russell,” marked by a series of honors and accolades from family, local and national politicians, and distinguished members of the Bourbon industry. Most notably, Kentucky Senator Mitch McConnell cemented Jimmy’s achievements for posterity in the United States Congressional Record, while Kentucky Senator Julian Carroll and Representative Kim King sponsored a similar resolution in the Kentucky General Assembly. Furthermore, Jimmy was granted a Lifetime Honorary Membership to the Kentucky Distillers’ Association’s Board of Directors, an honor bestowed to only five other individuals within the organization’s storied 134-year history.
As special as these honors have been, the most personal recognition came from Jimmy’s son and fellow Bourbon Hall of Famer Eddie Russell. As an homage to his father, Eddie created Wild Turkey Diamond Anniversary, an outstanding limited-edition expression of 13- and 16-year-old whiskies. On the rare occasions that Jimmy is not at the distillery or on the road waxing poetic about the importance of proper aging techniques and grain selection, you can find him enjoying his beloved bourbon neat or with a touch of branch water, or at home with his wife Joretta, whom he met before he started working at Wild Turkey. They have three children – Eddie, Mike and Kathy; six grandchildren; and one great grandchild. A true Kentuckian and avid sports fan, Jimmy is a lifelong supporter of local Anderson County High School athletic programs for girls and boys.
Decades of one man’s hard work have yielded the classic American whiskey icon we know as Wild Turkey 101.
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Jimmy Russell (Wild Turkey): Early Career
FAQ
Who is Jimmy Russell in Wild Turkey?
What year was Jimmy Russell born?
How old is Wild Turkey whiskey?
Who owns Wild Turkey Bourbon?
When did Jimmy Russell start working at wild turkey?
On September 10, 1954, Jimmy Russell first punched the clock at the distillery that would become known as Wild Turkey. He hasn’t stopped. Today marks Jimmy Russell’s 68th year at Wild Turkey. Can you imagine working 68 years at the same job – at the same location? Incredible.
What is Jimmy Russell’s favorite bourbon?
Liquid Legacy: Wild Turkey American Spirit 15 Year Old Jimmy Russell is uncharacteristically reticent when it comes to picking his favorite Wild Turkey whiskey, but according to his son and current master distiller, Eddie, this is Russell’s all-time favorite bourbon.
Who is Jimmy Russell wife Joretta Russell?
Master Distiller Jimmy Russell with his wife Joretta Russell. Here’s an open letter from his co-workers and family members. Excited to share that beloved Master Distiller – “Buddha of Bourbon” – Jimmy Russell is celebrating 65 years of making bourbon at Wild Turkey!
Who is Jack Russell & what is he doing at whiskyfest?
Russell is the only individual to attend every single WhiskyFest, no small feat, where he routinely sneaks off to have a beer with attendees. His body of work includes Tradition, Tribute, Wild Turkey 17 year old for Japan, Rare Breed, American Spirit, Kentucky Spirit, and Russell’s Reserve, some of which he created with his son, Eddie.