"I'VE NEVER WORKED A DAY IN MY LIFE"

Wild Turkey honors the world's longest-serving active spirits Master Distiller with a celebration including the release of Jimmy Russell's 70^th 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 70^th 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 70^th Anniversary 8-Year-Old Bourbon, crafted just the way he likes it. 

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 70^th 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, cinnamon and tobacco 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.