Wild Turkey Celebrates the 60th Anniversary of Master Distiller Jimmy Russell

This week marks the official 60th anniversary to a true living legend in the spirits industry, the “Buddha of Bourbon” himself … Jimmy Russell!  If you aren’t familiar with the Master Distiller, Jimmy Russell, perhaps you are familiar with his bourbon, Wild Turkey from Lawrenceburg, Kentucky.  Oh yeah, and he has been Master Distiller at Wild Turkey for 60 friggin years my friends, so get familiar & raise a glass!

We got to meet Jimmy earlier this month at Tales of the Cocktail and not only were we in complete awe of his whiskey knowledge, talent & skill, but we totally fell head over heels in love with his super sweet, friendly personality and quick, funny sense of humor.  This guy really is the real deal!

In honor of Jimmy’s astonishing 60 years on the job, Wild Turkey is releasing a special commemorative bourbon. Wild Turkey Diamond Anniversary edition celebrates the passion, hard work, and dedication of Russell as he is now officially the longest-tenured active Master Distiller in the world.  Wild Turkey Diamond Anniversary was crafted with the blessing and approval of Jimmy’s son, Eddie Russell, who has been making whiskey by his dad’s side in Kentucky for over 30-years. This exclusive, limited-edition bourbon is a mixture of 13- and 16-year-old whiskies that have been hand-selected by Eddie and masterfully blended to celebrate the Wild Turkey Master himself.

During a celebration for Jimmy on Bourbon Street (appropriate) we tasted the Wild Turkey Diamond Anniversary Bourbon.  First neat, then on the rocks. The body is rich and creamy and it super well-balanced with notes of caramel, cinnamon, and hints of oak … the juice is good Jimmy, the juice is very good!  Cheers to 60 more years to our new friend, the Wild Turkey Buddha of Bourbon.

Don’t forget to pay Jimmy a tribute with #JimmyRussell60

Wild Turkey Diamond Anniversary Whiskey (45.5% AVB, 91 proof, $125) 

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