“I have completed my grandfather Jimmy Russell's whiskey with a modern perspective.”
Bruce Russell, associate master blender of Wild Turkey, defined the product he developed during the launch media day for the 'Austin Nichols Archive Gold Foil Edition 16-Year' held at Campari Korea's headquarters in Seongsu-dong, Seoul, on August 20. This statement reflects his reinterpretation of the whiskey crafted by his grandfather, who has been making Wild Turkey for over 60 years.
The event began with an introduction by Kim Tae-wan, brand ambassador for Campari Korea, followed by Bruce Russell's explanation and tasting.
The first tasting was of the foundational '101' bourbon. Bruce Russell noted, “The illustration at the bottom of the bottle originates from a hunting trip in the 1940s, which inspired the brand name. The aging process, philosophy, and Jimmy Russell's manufacturing methods are all encapsulated in this 101.”
The second tasting featured 'Rare Breed,' known to be Jimmy Russell's favorite product. Bruce Russell explained, “We blend only three aging years: 6, 8, and 12 years.”
The final tasting showcased the star of the day, the Gold Foil 16-Year. Bruce Russell stated, “What I wanted most while leading the Gold Foil 16-Year project was to take people back to the past. The original inspiration came from my grandfather's favorite whiskey, which began selling in the 1980s as Wild Turkey 12-Year.”
In the 1980s, the official name did not include 'Gold Foil.' Fans nicknamed it 'Cheesy Gold Foil' due to its flashy gold packaging, which they found somewhat tacky, and decades later, this name became the official product title.
However, this is not a direct replica of the past product. The original 12-year, 50.5% whiskey has been blended with 16-year or older aged whiskey and bottled at 60%, employing a non-chill filtration method.
Bruce Russell explained that in the 1980s, long-aged whiskey was relatively abundant, and sometimes older whiskey was used than indicated on the label. To replicate the deep aging character of that era, he extended the aging period for the current whiskey.
He remarked, “Like the whiskeys of the 1980s, this product is also richer and more powerful, featuring traditional baking spices and oak notes, along with flavors reminiscent of dark fruit and dark chocolate.”
This product also marks a turning point for Bruce Russell. He is the grandson of Jimmy Russell and son of Eddie Russell, having joined Wild Turkey in 2010.
In 2023, the three generations—Jimmy, Eddie, and Bruce—created 'Wild Turkey Generations,' and last year, he completed 'Masters Keep Beacon' with his father, Eddie. However, this is the first time he is leading a standalone series under his own name, the 'Austin Nichols Archive Collection.'
Bruce Russell expressed, “I wanted to set the tone for what kind of whiskey maker I will become,” indicating his intention to continue the bold and spicy style of Jimmy Russell while incorporating the characteristics of Eddie's preference for aged whiskeys.
Annual Reinterpretation of Past Products... “Collaboration with Fans”
The Archive Collection is a new annual limited edition series that follows the 'Masters Keep' series, which ran from 2015 to last year. It draws inspiration from iconic past products and reinterprets them using current whiskey and manufacturing methods each year.
Bruce Russell described this as a “collaboration with fans.” The Gold Foil itself is a nickname created by fans, and the packaging includes elements recognizable to fans, such as the hunting trip that inspired the brand name and past turkey illustrations.
Regarding the Korean market, he said, “I first came to Korea three years ago, and it was truly enjoyable. Korea is a very interesting market as the bourbon boom has only recently begun.”
He added, “The consumer base in Korea is much younger than the averages in the U.S. and Japan, and the absence of a fixed drinking style is also intriguing.” With various drinking methods coexisting, including neat, on the rocks, highballs, and cocktails, he sees significant growth potential.
The Gold Foil 16-Year will be released as a limited edition, with approximately 2,000 bottles expected to be distributed in the country.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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