Wild Turkey is one of the premier bourbon brands. We’ve had the pleasure of having all the Russell’s on the show in previous years and it’s always heartwarming to have any member of this family on to share stories. It’s fun to hear the generational changes and how bourbon has developed. We had Bruce Russell on the show for the first time in 2019 on episode 199 with his cousin, JoAnn Street, but this time Bruce joins the show to talk about his journey in these last few years. Bruce has shown tremendous growth in a short period of time and we get to know more about him and how his time as a global brand ambassador really immersed him into the company and the culture. We ask Bruce about the current whiskey market and how he is carrying on a legacy and how he thinks he will leave his everlasting stamp on Wild Turkey.

Show Notes:

• Above the Char with Fred Minnick (@fredminnick) talks about oxidation in the bottle.
• Did you know as a child you were going to get into whiskey?
• How is it different for you all being the face of the brand but not the owners of it?
• When you started as a global brand ambassador was that a way to get an immersive learning experience?
• Did Jimmy or Eddie ever tell you about being on the road before bourbon was cool?
• What have you seen change since you started in 2011?
• Why do you keep changing your packaging?
• What international markets is Wild Turkey getting entrenched into?
• Have you thought about how you are going to put your own stamp on the Wild Turkey brand?
• If you have ideas to implement, how do you go through your creative process?
• Do you think the market is ready for blending to start making more traction?
• Why do you keep making me hammer out bungs during single barrel picks?
• @russellsryeguy
• Support this podcast on Patreon

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It’s Bourbon Community Roundtable #74 and here are the topics we chose for today’s show. American Single Malts. The media is a buzz talking about them and traditional heritage distilleries are starting to release some in small numbers. Is this a trend that we need to pay attention to? It’s safe to say that over half the bottles on the shelf are sourced product. Has sourcing been embraced finally? Or do people not care and don’t know? Every year we will see Wild Turkey pictures flood social media on Thanksgiving. What should you bring to your Thanksgiving get togethers?

Show Notes:

• Above the Char with Fred Minnick (@fredminnick) talks about Beam decanters.
• American Single Malts have their own designation and legal wording. Is this a trend worth watching for us bourbon geeks?
• It’s safe to say that over half the bottles on the shelf are sourced product. Has sourcing been embraced finally? Or do people not care and don’t know?
• Every year we will see Wild Turkey pictures flood social media on Thanksgiving. What should you bring to your Thanksgiving get togethers?
• @breakingbourbon @fredminnick @drinkseelbachs @bourbonr @sippncorn
• Support this podcast on Patreon

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There’s not many people in the bourbon industry that have a story like our guest. Bo Garrett wanted a better life than working in the coal mines of eastern Kentucky. He picked up a guitar and left for Lexington, Kentucky to be discovered. He met some key people that would change his life forever and spent over 20 years together on the road as the lead guitarist for Montgomery Gentry while being sponsored by Jim Beam. After the tragic passing of Troy Montgomery, it sent Bo to a dark place and he needed something. After a fateful run-in with Jimmy Russell while having dinner with Fred Noe, he started giving tours at Wild Turkey and discovered a new passion and became one of their esteemed Brand Builders. After you hear this story, you will see that Bo is the literal rockstar of the bourbon world.

Show Notes:

• Above the Char with Fred Minnick (@fredminnick) talks about proofing based on taste or most money
• Did you have a family history in moonshining?
• When did you start getting into playing guitar?
• What genre did you first start with?
• What did the music career really take off?
• What was your best and worst tour experience?
• Do you miss life on the road and touring?
• What is your guitar of choice?
• Do you still keep in touch with everyone in the band?
• How did Booker Beam and Montgomery Gentry come together?
• Do you look back on your days on the road and wish you hunted more?
• What made you want to be a tour guide at Wild Turkey when you weren’t touring?
• How are you finding historical information and pictures to share on social media?
• Are you digging up more history on Jimmy Russell as you spend time with him?
• What else are you doing as a Brand Builder at Wild Turkey?
• @wildturkey @montgomerygentry
• Support this podcast on Patreon

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Today’s guest needs no introduction. He is one the most iconic living figures in bourbon today. He’s been on episodes 77, 105, and 175. He’s even got his own personalized scooter to get him around the distillery and that is Jimmy Russell. This podcast touches on his early years and how he was selected to become the next master distiller. He talks about the changes he saw at the distillery as it exchanged hands throughout the years. Also, we get to hear the story on the birth of Rare Breed and his opinion on chill filtering vs non-chill filtering debate.

Show Notes:

• The history of JW Dant and Log Still Distillery – https://www.distillerytrail.com/blog/j-w-dant-investing-12-million-to-restart-historic-distillery-in-the-bourbon-capital-of-the-world/
• Heaven Hill 7 Year Bottled in Bond Launch – https://www.facebook.com/bourbonpursuit/posts/2640636035998401?__tn__=K-R
• Leave us a review! https://link.chtbl.com/LeaveAReview
• This week’s Above the Char with Fred Minnick talks about speaking at a Total Wine event in Atlanta.
• Does limestone water make a difference in bourbon?
• How long does it take to cook bourbon?
• Can you burn the mash?
• When did you start at the distillery?
• What roles have you had at the distillery?
• What Master Distiller trained you?
• How did he decide he wanted to train you?
• What were the early years like?
• Was there anything from prohibition that affected the distillery operations when you started?
• Will you all need to increase capacity soon?
• What was it like when you first started traveling to talk about Wild Turkey?
• What were your biggest challenges on the road?
• Were you nervous when you first went out on the road?
• Were you happy traveling and talking to the consumers?
• What was the name of the distillery before Wild Turkey?
• What was it like to distill then ship the bourbon away?
• Tell us about the other former Lawrenceburg distilleries.
• What was it like when you were out on the road? Do you think it helped grow the brand?
• Do you prefer to travel or be at the distillery?
• Tell us about Kentucky Spirit and Rare Breed.
• How often are you going through and sampling barrels?
• Do you have a favorite warehouse?
• Do you have a favorite floor?
• Why do you only have 7 floors?
• What innovations have you seen throughout your time in the bourbon industry?
• Talk about your rye mashbill.
• What do you think of non-distilling producers?
• Tell us about the inception of Rare Breed.
• Do you like the barrel char flavor?
• What do you think of chill vs. non-chill filtered?
• What kind of steak do you like?
• How much time do you spend at the visitor’s center?
• What do you drive most of the time?
• Are you excited to have Bruce at the distillery?
• Did you ever want to own the distillery?
• Why do whiskey consumers get enthralled with age statements?
• Any life advice for younger generations?

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Bruce Russell and JoAnn Street both know their Wild Turkey distillation and family history like the back of their hand. Both have been brand ambassadors but are now transitioning to new roles. While JoAnn is developing the hospitality side, Bruce is learning the ins and outs of the distillery. This show dives into the personalities of these two as we discuss the effect of bringing fresh faces to the distillery and how they plan on keeping traditions alive.

Show Notes:

• Episode 186 we feature Pam Heilman of Michter’s Distillery
• 150 bottles remaining from 4 barrels of Pursuit Series
• This week’s Above the Char with Fred Minnick talks about fake whiskey.
• JoAnn, do you want to get into working in the distillery?
• Bruce, are they going to make you join the union?
• How are you related to Jimmy?
• How did you decide to get into the family business?
• Talk about being a female in whiskey.
• What does it mean to be new blood in the company?
• Tell us about your background and how it will help with working in the distillery.
• Did they have a daycare for you at the distillery when you were young?
• What is your favorite Wild Turkey product?
• Do you see yourself living in Lawrenceburg?
• Give us your typical brand ambassador spiel for 80 proof and 101.
• Tell us about Rare Breed and Kentucky Spirit.
• Why is 101 Rye important?

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Eddie Russell from Wild Turkey needs no introduction. He’s one of the most honest Master Distillers in the industry and tells it like it is. This episode digs into the nuances of the Wild Turkey line up to see if we can figure out what could change. The biggest answer we all want to know is when will there be a barrel proof Russell’s Reserve? Tune in to find out.

Show Notes:

• The week’s Above the Char with Fred Minnick talks about value whiskey.
• How often are you going to Jimmy with questions?
• Do you feel like you have the job down?
• When you retire do you think you will hang around the distillery like Jimmy?
• Do you feel like you have to work at the distillery?
• Since you travel so much, what airline are you loyal to?
• When you travel, do you wear Wild Turkey gear?
• Are there any travel destinations that have stood out to you?
• Do you get to have any fun when you travel?
• Are there any plans for changing barrel proof entry?
• How can you not get 101 proof out of bourbon that goes in a 110?
• What is the thought process behind where in the rickhouse you place the barrels to age?
• Is 108 your target for Rare Breed?
• How many barrels are being dumped into Rare Breed?
• Talk about the warehouses. Do you see a difference in the whiskey coming out of the brick warehouses?
• How often do you get the chance to take a gamble?
• Do you see 81 still being prevalent in the market place?
• How many more derivatives do you think you can do?
• Are you wanting to bring in another recipe?
• Will we ever see a barrel strength Russell’s Reserve?
• Do you enjoy picking barrels with consumers?
• Talk about the proof difference between Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit and Russell’s Reserve.
• Tell us about the partnership with Matthew McConaughey.
• Is it a goal to bring back the 8-year-old age statement?

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• Our first barrel pick for 2019 is going to be Buffalo Trace. View all of our barrel picks at https://www.patreon.com/bourbonpursuit
• Fred published his article in Forbes for the 2018 best American Whiskey every day sipper.
• Fred does Instagram Live for Best of 2018
• Fred talks about his holiday gift guide on Forbes and why it was really hard to coming up new pairings in this week’s Above the Char – https://www.forbes.com/sites/fredminnick/2018/11/13/holiday-gift-guide-2018-the-most-money-minded-bourbons/
• Bruce, they are really pressuring you to move back soon
• Bruce, remember that panel we were on together?
• Are you excited to have Bruce back Eddie?
• Jimmy, how old were you when you started at the distillery?
• What has changed from the operations standpoint from when you first started?
• Have you all done recently to certify your warehouses or check them out after the Barton incident?
• Jimmy when you were coming up the ranks, federal government would check everything. Not so much anymore
• Do you think the distilling industry misses the oversight of the government?
• What does “Master Distiller” mean to you, Eddie?
• What about the flip side that a “Master Distiller” is just a marketer now?
• You did have to change the entry proof at one time. Was that corporate pressure?
• Why does some proof go down vs go up in some warehouses?
• When people come in for a visit, do they want that level of detail?
• Do you read your Yelp reviews?
• Is the bartending community the gate to your future?
• What’s the worst part about signing bottles?
• Where do you see barrel finishes in the Wild Turkey line since the last Master’s Keep was finished?
• It seems like a lot of flavored whiskeys have died down over time
• Why are we still not experimenting with different mashes?
• Bruce, you’re trying to revive the rye. talk about that.
• Are you a scotch person?
• Jimmy, what have you learned by the younger generations?
• From RareBird101, what’s your honest opinion on the new Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit bottle?
• So why isn’t the top level listening to you?
• Choose an individual and take one word that embodies the person
• View all Wild Turkey Podcasts

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Is he the biggest Wild Turkey super fan out there? Without a doubt. David Jennings goes by the alter ego RareBird101. In this episode we explore his obsession with older dusty Wild Turkey and even some of the newest Russell’s Reserve offerings. We also spend some time speculating on our theories on what has changed over the years and if Wild Turkey is headed in the right direction with premium offerings.

Show Notes:

• Before we dive right in, what’s your bourbon story?
• What got you into Wild Turkey?
• What keeps you interested in Wild Turkey?
• Talk about your blog for a minute and what you do at Rarebird101
• Think about some of those reviews you’ve done, because I’ve seen some real turkey unicorns in there from tradition to split labels to Christmas Rye. Do you have any standout favorites?
• What is it about cheesy gold foil?
• Jimmy says nothing has changed. But Be honest, do you think dusty Wild Turkey is better than today?
• Since you’ve tasted almost everything in the turkey lineup, any thoughts on recreating that dusty flavor profile?
• We posted on Instagram a while back about waiting in line for a Weller107 store pick because people like us are dumb. You were playing the angle that if everyone focused their attention on Russell’s Reserve picks you wouldn’t have to stand in line. I know you have an article on the 10 reasons why you should be buying Russell’s Reserve picks, what are some of those favorite reasons of yours?
• How many different Russell’s Reserve picks do you have?
• It seems that Wild Turkey limited releases don’t get many accolades. From Diamond to Master’s Keep. What’s you honest opinion? Do you feel they don’t deserve the high dollar or do you?
• Did you sleep on Russell’s Reserve 1998 like I did?
• When are you getting your chance to meet Matt McConaughey?
• Support RareBird101 on Patreon

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Wild Turkey Barrel Selection Exclusive with Ed Bley of Cork N Bottle, Reid and Emerald of 1789b, Nick Dikeos of The Bourbon Mafia, and Jimmy Russell of Wild Turkey. Get an inside look at how these connoisseurs of bourbon choose barrels while Jimmy is rattling off more information and history than we knew before. This is a Bourbon Pursuit first, bringing you inside on a private barrel selection.

Show Notes:

• Everyone introduce themselves
• Ed, what’s your mentality going into a barrel pick?
• Jimmy, what hasn’t been tried in this business?
• Jimmy, you said Wild Turkey doesn’t produce anything outside of their own brands but what about Old Ripy and Bond and Lilliard?
• Emerald, what’s bourbon like in Arizona?
• Jimmy, talk about Chill Filtering
• Ed, do you feel like we could be choosing barrels that have been passed on by others?
• Jimmy talks about MGP, Schenley, and more
• Nick, talk about off-profile picks and why they are desired
• Emerald, how has barrel picking changed since bourbon has become so popular because you can’t get things like private ETL?
• Reid, talk about the differences between choosing barrels at Four Roses
• Jimmy, talk about the oak that goes into making the barrels
• Jimmy, when it comes to local farmers, does farm to bottle really mean anything?
• Jimmy, how did you get in trouble with the Wild Turkey pewter tops?
• Ed, Reid, and Nick, what do you think collaborations of different stores and groups coming together to make something special?
• Jimmy, talk about Parker Beam from Heaven Hill
• These bottles will be in stores very soon!

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Jimmy Russell, Master Distiller and Legend at Wild Turkey, sits down to tell his story. He thinks he’s “Plain Ol’ Jimmy” but once you hear his stories about childhood, befriending the likeness of greats in the industry, and sharing his wealth of knowledge you will see he really is an icon.

Show Notes:

• I want to talk about your history before Wild Turkey.
• Talk a little bit about your childhood and upbringing. Sports, basketball, track, baseball.
• I know your father and grandfather were in this whiskey business, is that why you got into the bourbon industry?
• Were you always around bourbon?
• What made you come to Wild Turkey in beginning?
• What was the state of Wild Turkey when you joined?
• How big was the operation?
• Who were your mentors?
• How have you embraced a lot of modern distillation techniques with computers and automation taking over?
• What was life like for you before the boom?
• Did you ever make any radical changes to Wild Turkey?
• You were best friends with the greatest minds in the industry before bourbon was cool. Talk about the comradery between people like you, Elmer, Booker, and the like.
• Now that bourbon is in the spotlight, are you hesitant on taking a backseat because at 82 years old, you won’t stop and you continue to travel to talk about Wild Turkey.
• Your son Eddie now has taken the spot light. What’s it mean to you that you get to trust the business to him?
• From @bourbonooga: Do they wish the old distillery was still down by where Warehouse A sits?
• From @Primo55: The eternal debate: Cheesy Gold Foil 12yr or Split Label 12 yr?
• What do you think is the best product that ever came out of here?
• Give us your thoughts on the 6-8 vs older aged bourbons?
• From @BreakingBourbon: Share a drink with anyone past/present/future who would it be and why?
• What are some of those things that you want to leave as a legacy?