Russell's Reserve 13 Year Old Bourbon Spring 2026 Release 750ml

Eddie Russell walked into Wild Turkey Distillery in 1981 expecting nothing more than a summer job. Forty-five years later, he's a Hall of Fame Master Distiller and one of the most respected figures in American bourbon — and this Spring 2026 release of Russell's Reserve 13 Year Old was built specifically to mark that anniversary. It's the sixth batch of the line since its 2021 debut (with a one-time detour to Russell's Reserve 15 in 2024), and it comes with a genuinely moving story behind it: while filming a documentary about his career, Eddie pulled an 18-year-old barrel and tasted it, on camera, alongside his son Bruce, now the brand's Associate Master Blender. "Of course, it was exceptional," Bruce recalled. "That barrel ended up in this year's 13 Year Old release. It was just one of those moments that felt so true to who Dad is and what he does best."

The 2026 batch carries a 13-year age statement representing the youngest whiskey in the blend — the reality is considerably older, with the youngest components closing in on 14 years and significant stock running 16 to 18 years, including that specific hand-selected 18-year barrel captured on film. Bottled at a robust barrel proof of 60.6% / 121.2, non-chill filtered, this is the second-highest proof the line has ever carried, just below last year's 123.8. Breaking Bourbon's review called it a pour that "will make you go 'wow,'" describing red fruits dominating the profile, "elegantly offset by aged seasoned oak, brown sugar, nutmeg, and leather."

Whisky Advocate's assessment went further still: "this brawny bourbon comes out swinging with a dark and seductive nose of dark chocolate, black cherry, car leather, butterscotch, cola, ground cinnamon, and charred oak. The palate follows suit with fudge, double chocolate-chip cookies, raspberry jam, caramel, and spice, with a bit of dark roast emerging toward the midpalate. Cinnamon and nutmeg come to the fore on the finish, with even darker notes of leather, cacao, and affogato al caffè, all perfectly framed by oak." Maxim found the nose opening with vanilla and oak before moving into brown sugar, coffee, and orange peel, the palate delivering bright cherry and citrus giving way to nutmeg, allspice, and cola, closing on caramel, toffee, and a touch of oak tannin — "the richer, more elegant flavors, the deeper caramels, vanillas and butterscotch notes." This is Russell's Reserve at its most personal and its most powerful — a tribute release from a family whose whiskey-making legacy now spans three generations under one roof.

Origins & Craftsmanship

Russell's Reserve 13 Year Old Bourbon is produced at Wild Turkey Distilling Co. in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, under Master Distiller Eddie Russell, who joined the distillery in 1981 and is celebrating his 45th anniversary with the company in 2026. The Spring 2026 release marks the sixth batch of Russell's Reserve 13 Year overall, following the line's original 2021 debut and a 2024 hiatus during which it was temporarily replaced by a one-time bottling of Russell's Reserve 15 Year. This release was conceived specifically as a multi-part tribute to Eddie's career milestone, including a cinematic documentary component and a commemorative label design.

The 2026 batch is crafted from select barrels aged a minimum of 13 years, though the actual composition skews considerably older — the youngest whiskey in the blend is close to 14 years, with a significant portion of the stock aged 16 to 18 years. Notably, an 18-year-old barrel that Eddie personally selected and tasted on camera during the documentary's filming, alongside his son and Associate Master Blender Bruce Russell, was included directly in this year's final blend. The whiskey is non-chill filtered and bottled at a unique barrel proof of 60.6% ABV / 121.2 proof — the second-highest proof point the line has carried since its debut, reflecting the specific character of this production season's barrels. The release is limited, with retailers imposing a one-bottle-per-customer purchase limit.

Critics Reviews

Whisky Advocate (extended review):
"This brawny bourbon comes out swinging with a dark and seductive nose of dark chocolate, black cherry, car leather, butterscotch, cola, ground cinnamon, and charred oak. The palate follows suit with fudge, double chocolate-chip cookies, raspberry jam, caramel, and spice, with a bit of dark roast emerging toward the midpalate. Cinnamon and nutmeg come to the fore on the finish, with even darker notes of leather, cacao, and affogato al caffè, all perfectly framed by oak."

Breaking Bourbon (extended review):
"This edition is actually the sixth batch of 13 Year and comes in at 121.2 proof, marking the second highest proof for the line. Like batches before it, older barrels handpicked by Russell were added, and the 2026 release features barrels as old as 18 years despite its 13 year age statement, which represents the youngest barrels in the blend. This year's edition stays true to Russell's Reserve flavor profile and delivers a pour that will make you go 'wow.' Red fruits dominate and are elegantly offset by aged seasoned oak, brown sugar, nutmeg, and leather."

Maxim (extended review):
"Bottled at a barrel proof of 121.2 (60.6-percent ABV), the Spring 2026 batch reflects Eddie's hands-on approach to barrel selection. The nose opens with vanilla and oak before moving into brown sugar, coffee, and orange peel. On the palate, bright cherry and citrus notes give way to nutmeg, allspice, and cola, while the finish lingers with caramel, toffee, and a touch of oak tannin — a profile that balances fruit-forward brightness with the deeper, spiced richness typical of well-aged bourbon. The richer, more elegant flavors, the deeper caramels, vanillas and butterscotch notes."

Bruce Russell, Associate Master Blender:
"My dad has given his entire life to this craft, and to see him reach 45 years is so special. While we were filming, Dad actually pulled an 18 year old barrel and we tasted it together — of course, it was exceptional. That barrel ended up in this year's 13 Year Old release. It was just one of those moments that felt so true to who Dad is and what he does best. To have that captured on camera, and that barrel in this year's release, makes it all even more meaningful."

Russell's Reserve official tasting notes:
"Aroma: Notes of vanilla and oak transition to brown sugar and coffee with a distinct orange peel note. Taste: Bright fruit notes of cherry and citrus followed by spice notes of nutmeg and allspice with sweet notes of cola. Finish: Medium-long finish with caramel, toffee, and hints of oak tannin."

Tasting Profile

Nose
Dark and seductive — dark chocolate, black cherry, car leather, and butterscotch lead, joined by cola, ground cinnamon, and charred oak. Vanilla and oak give way to brown sugar and coffee, with a distinct orange peel note running throughout.

Palate
Fudge, double chocolate-chip cookies, and raspberry jam open, followed by caramel and warm baking spice, with a touch of dark roast emerging toward the midpalate. Bright cherry and citrus lead into nutmeg, allspice, and sweet cola — red fruit dominates, elegantly offset by aged seasoned oak, brown sugar, nutmeg, and leather.

Finish
Cinnamon and nutmeg come to the fore, joined by even darker notes of leather, cacao, and affogato al caffè, all framed by oak. Medium-long, closing with caramel, toffee, and hints of oak tannin — power and elegance held in genuine balance.

Quick Overview

Cocktail Suggestions

Neat — the recommended serve to fully appreciate the whiskey's full barrel-proof complexity.

Russell's Reserve Old Fashioned
2 oz Russell's Reserve 13 Year Spring 2026 · Demerara syrup · Angostura bitters · orange twist. The cherry, cola, and butterscotch character carries beautifully through the classic format.