Both bottles here come from Tyrone warehouses, 4th floors, and were barreled/bottled at similar times. And I'll say right out the gate that it shows. Both sipped neat; the WT was briefly rested whereas the RR was rested for 15 min. I'll also preface the notes below by saying, especially for the RR: if I myself were to have these described to me before actually trying these bottles I wouldn't have been sold on them. Yet as they are actually tasted they really are quite enjoyable.
On the nose both bottles start with candied brown sugar and fragrant wood prominent. I can not put my finger on the exact wood, but I'm thinking its like an Egyptian Sandalwood(?); I've smelt it before in candles and incense (any time I bring up a wood spice or wood musk they're stemming from this note as two sides of the same coin). Under all that for both there is shadowy note of vanilla. The Wild Turkey gets this subtle bright fruit note at the end, whereas the Russels evolves that wood note into a deeper, sweet earthy note. Surprisingly, I get more ethanol on the WT than the RR.
On the palate, the WT has the wood note come out first, though its closer to oak here, with some musk and very subtle wood spice alongside a little proof spice. Its mid tier mouth feel, not thin but not viscous. Though there is little sweetness at this point, it is surprisingly enjoyable which I've no doubt is helped by the fall weather in my area. Midway the bright fruit comes out with extreme subtlety, reminiscent of green apple without sourness, while the wood goes back to closer to the sandalwood note.
Om the palate the RR starts out with this really nice candied wood with a slight musk taste along with a dash of vanilla - little to no proof coming through here, it drinks well below 110 - and is mouthwateringly sweet, though not overwhelmingly. It is wonderful. The mouthfeel is a bit more viscous than the WT, though that's to be expected. Then the woodspice comes in like with the WT, exceptionally subtle, with a mild nuttiness at the back of the palate.
These are both fantastic finishers. The WT finishes with an oakier wood note under warm brown sugar hanging on the breath, and lasts around 20-30 seconds. The RR hangs on to the woodsy musk note but is just flooded over with a more caramelized brown sugar and slight vanilla note on the breath and this lasts for at least a minute and even longer on bigger sips.
The similar upbringing of these bottles shows, yet the RR comes out way on top here. I have a WT Kentucky Spirit from Nelson that I find more enjoyable than this Private Select, its much brighter overall. However with the greater depth of flavor to the RR, and the added warm-sugar sweetness throughout, it's for sure my favorite of the three. It's a bottle that puts a grin on your face. Does it compare to RR13 45th? Unfortunately no. But it's close. Really close honestly, closer than I thought I'd be. With the difference between the Nelson and Tyron WT, I can't help but wonder if the Nelson RR might come even closer. Both these bottles are fantastic as fall/winter, or maybe late nights outside on the porch or by a fire, pours. Though, I think on warmer spring or summer days Id reach for something a bit brighter.
On my rudimentary scale, the WT gets 6 where the RR gets an 8. And just to add it in, the WT Kentucky Spirit I have got a 6.5 for me. Certainly no bad pours here, but the RR is indeed something a cut above.
Oh and if anyone maybe can give a more exact name to the wood spice/wood musk notes i was getting id appreciate it. I was also maybe thinking along the lines of veviter or patchouli, but off the top of my head Im leaning towards Egyptian Sandalwood. If I could smell the scent again with actual name of the scent i could nail it in a heartbeat.
