Bruce Russell Unveils Wild Turkey Austin Nichols Collection
(Credit: Campari)
Associate Master Blends Bruce Russell, son of current Wild Turkey Master Distiller Eddie Russell and grandson of living legend Jimmy Russell, has announced the launch of a new limited-edition annual series commemorating some of the most coveted vintage bottles in Wild Turkey’s storied history. The inaugural release in the series, Gold Foil Edition, is a 16-year-old 120-proof Kentucky straight bourbon crafted to capture the spirit of one of Wild Turkey’s most iconic vintages from the 1980s and 1990s, affectionately known by fans as “Cheesy Gold Foil.”
This new series follows the conclusion of the Master’s Keep series, which was most often associated with Eddie Russell. The new series is the first stewarded by Bruce.
Gold Foil Edition draws on the expressions of the so-called “Glut Era,” a period when whiskey fell out of favor and inventories swelled. During that time, Jimmy Russell often blended older barrels into standard bottlings, creating bourbons with remarkable depth, intensity and the distinctive “mature oak funk” that many enthusiasts believe is rarely found in modern releases. To recreate the richness, character, and unmistakable profile of that era, Gold Foil Edition was crafted with a longer aging process and higher proof, allowing Bruce to achieve exactly what he set out to create. The 16-year-old, non-chill filtered, 120-proof bourbon was crafted from barrels sourced from Wild Turkey’s celebrated Camp Nelson F, D, and E rickhouses.
“Austin Nichols Archives has been a labor of love, and I’m excited to finally share it with bourbon lovers everywhere,” said Russell. “Gold Foil Edition was the perfect bourbon to launch the collection. Inspired by a personal favorite of mine and of many Wild Turkey fans, I drew on everything I’ve learned from my father and grandfather to create a whiskey that honors the Wild Turkey legacy.”
Wild Turkey Austin Nichols Archives Gold Foil Edition will be available in limited quantities in select
markets beginning this May for a suggested retail price of $400.
