Russell's Reserve Single Rickhouse Camp Nelson B

Nose

Sweet oak, molasses, and honey-soaked cornbread kick things off on the nose. A tinge of hot honey sits right under that first sniff, with a red pepper-forward spice that only lasts for a few brief seconds before wood sweetness takes over once again.

This almost immediately reminds me of last year’s Camp Nelson F release, but dialed up significantly in both oak and vanilla. That oak ensconces everything — toasted wood with a touch of tanned leather — even as the bourbon’s aromas transition more to fruit and spice.

Booze-soaked cocktail cherries lead the way in that next realm, with a minor component of fresh blood orange. Cinnamon is definitely perceptible, but it almost pales in comparison to the hefty dose of nutmeg, a woody/nutty flavor almost strong enough to seem like it was grated fresh on top of the whiskey.

Spearmint punctuates the final act of the nose, along with a dusted cocoa (though comparatively less than on some recent Russell’s releases, including the 13 and 15 year expressions).

Taste

A syrupy, honey-forward sweetness hits the tongue, followed by caramelized and fatty elements that build gradually with each sip. Dark oak and tannins accumulate, and once again, everything gets encapsulated by wood sugars and barrel char (though without ever drying out the mouth, I should add). There’s also a heavier-than-normal impact on the upper palate. That comes largely in the form of cooling menthol, which helps balance some of the alcohol’s heat; generally, though, this bourbon drinks a few points below its 120.2 proof.

By the third taste, it’s a brown butter bonanza, the bourbon hitting forcefully on the midpalate. That oily viscosity might almost be too rich if it weren’t for enough dark fruit to provide some tartness for relief. Blackcurrants, prunes, figs, black cherries, and baked pears move things into fructose territory with just enough sharpness to keep things balanced. Frankly, I wouldn’t have minded even more fruit at this juncture.

At and beyond the midpalate, Rickhouse B is both more grain-forward and chocolatey than on the nose (holiday spiced malted milk balls, anyone?). Creamy peanut butter also develops further on, though not so far after as to get uncoupled from the fig and cherry. Paired with residual spice and that initial honey flavor — and the nearly chewy mouthfeel — the whole experience reminds me of a fruity Abba-Zaba.

Finish

When reviewing last year’s Camp Nelson F release, I kept noticing a pronounced cola flavor on the finish. It’s back in full force here, though now with nearly enough fruit to elicit Cherry Coke. And like its immediate predecessor, Camp Nelson B features a long, oaky finish that punches above the batch’s 10-year age minimum. Adding some water doesn’t so much reduce the oak as layering in more black cherry and dark grape. I’d call it brandy-adjacent, and Armagnac fans are likely to be delighted by the heavy and rich finish that lingers for long minutes after each sip.