Wild Turkey honors the world’s longest-serving active spirits Master Distiller with a celebration including the release of Jimmy Russell’s 70th Anniversary 8-Year-Old Bourbon, a limited-edition 101-proof whiskey
LAWRENCEBURG, Ky., Sept. 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Wild Turkey Distilling Co., the award-winning distillery known for its bold Kentucky bourbon, is raising a glass to legendary Master Distiller, Jimmy Russell, who today celebrates his 70th anniversary with the distillery. Jimmy first stepped foot in the distillery on September 10, 1954, and over the following years, his steadfast and sometimes stubborn dedication to making bourbon the pre-prohibition way has cemented Wild Turkey as an American icon and helped to drive the success that the bourbon industry enjoys today. To thank him, the team at Wild Turkey is marking 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.
BOURBON LEGEND JIMMY RUSSELL CELEBRATES 7OTH ANNIVERSARY WITH WILD TURKEY® BOURBON, PHOTO BY DANNY CLINCH
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. Best served neat or on the rocks, the bourbon offers rich aromas of oak, honey and cinnamon and tasting notes marked by sweet cream, butterscotch and black tea notes that transition to bitter chocolate, dark cherry and burnt sugar. The limited-edition release was made for Jimmy, but it’s also meant to share his incredible legacy with the world. It will be available on shelves in select global markets starting this fall, for a suggested retail price of US $50 per 750ml bottle.
"While it’s hard to put Jimmy’s impact on the bourbon industry into words, I can’t think of a more fitting way to mark this milestone than with Wild Turkey Jimmy Russell’s 70th Anniversary 8-Year-Old Bourbon," says Wild Turkey Associate Blender and Jimmy’s grandson, Bruce Russell. "We chose a special blend of choice whiskies from a few of his favorite rickhouses, and at 101 proof, it’s meant to be just what he loves most about bourbon. We can’t wait for fans around the world to enjoy it, and in the words of Granddad himself – if you don’t like it, he’ll drink it."
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.
Jimmy has received many accolades throughout the past seven decades, but Wild Turkey wanted to celebrate him in a new way on his 70th anniversary. In addition to creating the limited-edition bourbon, Wild Turkey honored Jimmy just as many of history’s greatest artists, musicians, athletes and heroes have been immortalized before – by commissioning a portrait of Jimmy to personify his icon status within American culture. Award-winning and renowned photographer Danny Clinch, who has photographed some of the world’s most influential celebrities, rock stars and performers, captured the portrait of Jimmy in Kentucky.
"I’m proud to have added the legendary Jimmy Russell to my portfolio in honor of his 70th anniversary at Wild Turkey. I typically shoot with entertainers – rock stars and world-class athletes – so the opportunity to work with a different kind of rock star, in an industry that has so much history and heritage, was a unique and incredible honor," says Clinch. "Jimmy’s passion, dedication and craft is simply unmatched in the world, and it was a pleasure to spend time with him in Kentucky capturing these photographs. Cheers to 70 years of Jimmy Russell."
Fans can learn more about Jimmy’s legacy and history at the newly renovated Jimmy Russell Wild Turkey Experience in picturesque Lawrenceburg, Kentucky. Reopened in spring 2024 and named in dedication to Jimmy, each element of the new visitor center was designed to evoke his mentality, conviction and strength. With any luck, visitors might even catch Jimmy himself, often found in his favorite chair sharing his wisdom, cracking jokes, and telling stories.
"In my eyes, I’ve never worked a day in my life. The day I do, I’ll retire," jokes Master Distiller Jimmy Russell. "Until then, I’m going to continue making the bourbon I love."
Wild Turkey encourages you to celebrate this bourbon milestone responsibly. For more information on how Wild Turkey is celebrating Jimmy’s 70-year career, please visit www.wildturkeybourbon.com.
ABOUT WILD TURKEY
The distillery for Wild Turkey Bourbon is in Kentucky, situated on a deep limestone shelf on the Kentucky River. The shelf acts as a natural filter and provides the distillery with crystal clear water, vital to making such a high-quality product. Wild Turkey features the legendary father and son Master Distilling team of Jimmy and Eddie Russell, who have over 100 years of collective experience working at the Wild Turkey distillery, and are now joined by the next generation, Associate Blender Bruce Russell.
The famous Wild Turkey brand name first came about back in 1940 when distillery executive Thomas McCarthey took a few warehouse samples on a Wild Turkey hunting trip with a group of friends. The following year, his friends asked him for "some of that Wild Turkey whiskey" and the brand was born.
Wild Turkey is distilled and put into new oak barrels at a much lower ABV than most bourbons. This results in a much richer flavor, as less is cooked out during the production process. Ageing in the highest quality new American oak barrels with the heaviest char available (the Number 4 "alligator" char), imparts a smooth flavor and deep amber color to the whiskey. The barrels are filled at the distillery in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky. Website: wildturkey.com.
ABOUT CAMPARI GROUP
Campari Group is a major player in the global spirits industry, with a portfolio of over 50 premium and super premium brands, spreading across Global, Regional and Local priorities.
Global Priorities, the Group’s key focus, include Aperol, Campari, SKYY, Grand Marnier, Espolòn, Courvoisier, Wild Turkey and Appleton Estate.
The Group was founded in 1860 and today is the sixth-largest player worldwide in the premium spirits industry. It has a global distribution reach, trading in over 190 nations around the world with leading positions in Europe and the Americas.
Campari Group’s growth strategy aims to combine organic growth through strong brand building and external growth via selective acquisitions of brands and businesses.
Headquartered in Sesto San Giovanni, Italy, Campari Group operates in 23 production sites worldwide and has its own distribution network in 26 countries. Campari Group employs approximately 4,900 people.
The shares of the parent company, Davide Campari-Milano N.V. (Reuters CPRI.MI – Bloomberg CPR IM), have been listed on the Italian Stock Exchange since 2001. For more information: http://www.camparigroup.com/en. Please enjoy our brands responsibly.
BOURBON LEGEND JIMMY RUSSELL CELEBRATES 7OTH ANNIVERSARY WITH WILD TURKEY® BOURBON
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