The Underrated Kentucky Bourbon Brand Worth Seeking Out

It's no secret Kentucky is home to the majority of the world's bourbon distillers — in fact, according to the Kentucky Distillers' Association, there are more than three times as many barrels of aging bourbon in Kentucky as there are people, a whopping 16.1 million barrels as of 2024 (the latest data currently available). With so many options to choose from, it's understandable that many people seek out the most widely acknowledged brands on the shelf. However, there are also numerous underrated bourbon brands that deserve recognition and are definitely worth trying. Case in point: Russell's Reserve 10-Year has developed a reputation as an overlooked bourbon whiskey enthusiasts appreciate for its excellent value and approachability. 

Russell's Reserve 10-Year is 90-proof, making it lower in alcohol than some bourbons (like the top-selling Wild Turkey 101) but higher than others (like bestselling 80-proof Jim Beam White Label). Lower-proof bourbons (80- to 90-proof) tend to be more delicate and lack the burn of high-proof bourbons. It is also a small-batch bourbon, crafted by blending a handpicked selection from a limited number of barrels, and has the typical bourbon flavors of caramel, vanilla, and aged oak.

Russell's Reserve is a well-aged bourbon at 10 years, a highly sought-after age statement for whiskey that results in greater depth and oaky flavor. Priced at $35 to $50 per bottle, it is considered an excellent value for a bourbon aged this long. Comparable, higher-priced, in-demand 10-year bourbons include Eagle Rare 10-Year ($54 to $110), Bulleit 10-Year ($50), and Basil Hayden 10-Year ($86).

Even bourbon novices have likely tried or are at least familiar with the Kentucky bourbon Wild Turkey, a globally top-selling, affordable bourbon brand with a legacy dating back to the mid-19th century. Depending on your level of whiskey expertise, you may or may not have heard of Russell's Reserve, which comes from the same father-and-son master distillers of Wild Turkey, Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame inductees Jimmy Russell and Eddie Russell. Many aficionados are familiar with the widely available Russell's Reserve, agreeing that the 10-Year is a high-value bourbon based on the affordable price and age statement, one of the factors experts rely on when picking a good bourbon. 

Russell's Reserve was originally crafted in 1998 by Eddie Russell as a tribute to his dad, Jimmy, who was celebrating 45 years of distilling at the Wild Turkey distillery in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky. In 2001, it evolved from a special anniversary bottle into a regularly available 10-Year, 101-proof bourbon. Four years later, the alcohol content was lowered to make the 90-proof bottle that is on the shelves today. In addition to the 10-Year Bourbon, Russell's Reserve offers a 6-Year Rye, Single Barrel Bourbon, Single Barrel Rye, and various Private Barrel Bourbon selections that are handpicked by Eddie Russell and feature flavor profiles like oak and cinnamon, honey and oak, and warm and spicy.