Wild Turkey Marks Jimmy Russell’s 70th Anniversary With New Bourbon
(Credit: Danny Clinch/Campari)
A living legend of the bourbon industry, Wild Turkey’s Jimmy Russell, is celebrating his 70th anniversary with the Lawrenceburg, Kentucky bourbon distillery this week. Jimmy first stepped foot in the distillery on September 10, 1954, and over the following years rose to become Master Distiller in 1967. His work over the subsequent decades built up much of the identity of Wild Turkey as we think of it today, as well as being instrumental in the revival of the bourbon industry’s fortunes during the 1990s.
To thank him, the team at Wild Turkey has marked the milestone with a celebration including the release of Wild Turkey Jimmy Russell’s 70th Anniversary 8 Year Old Bourbon, crafted just the way he likes it.
Jimmy’s earliest days at the distillery were spent sweeping the floors at age 18, and he rose through the ranks to become Master Distiller by remaining committed to crafting bourbon one way – the right way – even when it wasn’t popular. In the 1970s and 80s when the bourbon industry was close to collapse, Jimmy stayed the course. Consumers were favoring lighter spirits, but he refused to dilute his bourbon; embracing the pre-prohibition style that he learned from his mentor and predecessor Bill Hughes, Jimmy “didn’t change a damn thing.” His approach helped propel the popularity of many of the distillery’s classic bourbons, including Jimmy’s favorite, Wild Turkey 101. That’s why the distillery is proud to celebrate Jimmy’s milestone and legacy with a collection-worthy and commemorative 101-proof bourbon tailored to his taste.
Wild Turkey Jimmy Russell’s 70th Anniversary 8-Year-Old Bourbon features Jimmy’s signature 8-year-old, 101-proof bourbon, along with an additional blend of 8- to 9-year-old whiskeys that were hand-selected from a few of his favorite rickhouses. It will be available on shelves in select global markets starting this fall, for a suggested retail price of US $50 per 750ml bottle.
Jimmy’s list of accomplishments is as long as his career to date. He was one of the first to introduce many innovative whiskeys that are now industry mainstays, including a barrel-proof bourbon with the release of Wild Turkey Rare Breed and a single barrel release with Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit. He was also the first to introduce a honey flavored bourbon liqueur, American Honey. However, he’s most known for perfecting the recipe for Wild Turkey 101, the heart and soul of the Wild Turkey portfolio. Jimmy was named to the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame in 2000 and has been honored with countless titles during his tenure. He was anointed a Kentucky Colonel by three standing Commonwealth of Kentucky Governors, honored with a Resolution by the Kentucky State Assembly and the Governor, and received the key to Lawrenceburg. Jimmy is also famous for traveling the world with the other titans of the bourbon industry, as they spread the word of bourbon and helped fuel the industry.
