83: The Master of Wild Turkey : Jimmy Russell's 70 Year Reign

The_Whiskey Shaman

Bourbon heritage month is upon us and a big milestone happened. Jimmy Russell just passed 70 years at Wild Turkey, this is such a epic event they are releasing a special bottle for the event. But first a word from our sponsors.

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JIMMY RUSSELL’S
70th ANNIVERSARY
8-YEAR-OLD RELEASE

Commemorative bourbon release honoring Master Distiller Jimmy Russell’s 70th Anniversary with Wild Turkey making him the longest-tenured spirits Master Distiller in the world.

WILD TURKEY JIMMY RUSSELL’S 70TH ANNIVERSARY

To honor Jimmy’s incredible impact on the bourbon world, Wild Turkey is proud to present the limited-edition Wild Turkey Jimmy Russell’s 70th Anniversary 8-Year-Old Bourbon.

This collector-worthy release is an 8-Year-Old, 101-proof bourbon, with an additional blend of 8- to 9-year-old whiskeys, hand-selected from a few of Jimmy’s favorite Rickhouses. Best enjoyed neat or over ice, this bourbon is a true tribute to Jimmy’s legacy

From his earliest days at the distillery sweeping the floors at age 18 to rising through the ranks to become Master Distiller, Jimmy has remained committed to crafting bourbon one way, the right way, even when it wasn’t popular. In the 1970’s and 80’s when the bourbon industry was close to collapse, Jimmy stayed the course.

1855

Wholesale grocer Austin Nichols begins selling wine and spirits. The business would later go on to own and sell Wild Turkey.

1869

The Ripy brothers open their family distillery on Wild Turkey Hill in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky.

1893

The Ripy Brothers’ bourbon represents Kentucky at the World’s Fair in Chicago, Illinois.

1940

Wild Turkey Bourbon gets its name after a distillery executive shares his bourbon with friends on an annual hunting trip — of course, they were after wild turkey.

THE RUSSELL EFFECT

1954

Master Distiller Jimmy Russell joins Wild Turkey. He learns his craft from becomes the third in a line of master distillers for the brand which includes second master distiller, Bill Hughes, and Ernest W. Ripy, son of the original distiller.

1976

Wild Turkey introduces the world’s first bourbon liqueur, introducing a broader audience and attracting even more drinkers to the bourbon world. The liqueur would eventually lead to the creation of American Honey.

1981

Eddie Russell, son of Jimmy Russell, joins Wild Turkey as a relief operator and begins to work his way up the distillery ladder.

1991

Wild Turkey introduces our premium Rare Breed bourbon, one of the first barrel proof bourbons to hit the market.

1995

Wild Turkey follows it up with the launch of Kentucky Spirit, a single-barrel 101-proof bourbon, one of the only single barrel American whiskey offerings of the time.

THE NEW VISION

2000

Master Distiller Jimmy Russell is inducted into the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame.

2004

Jimmy Russell celebrates his 50th year at the Wild Turkey distillery.

2010

Eddie Russell is inducted into the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame by his father, Jimmy Russell.

2015

Eddie Russell is officially given the title of Master Distiller, then making Jimmy and Eddie the only active father and son duo of bourbon Master Distillers in the world.

2016

Famed actor and bourbon enthusiast Matthew McConaughey joins Wild Turkey as Creative Director.

2018

Wild Turkey introduces Longbranch, a small-batch bourbon refined with Texas Mesquite and American Oak charcoals, and the first co-creation from Master Distiller Eddie Russell and Creative Director Matthew McConaughey.

2020

Wild Turkey introduces Rare Breed Rye, our premium quality, masterfully crafted barrel proof rye.