The bourbon world just got more interesting. Master Distiller Eddie Russell has personally selected two exceptional private barrel bourbons that showcase what happens when premium whiskey meets patient aging at the Tyrone campus. These aren't your everyday shelf bottles—they're online-exclusive releases with extremely limited inventory, and once they're gone, that's it.
Both selections share an interesting origin story. Distilled in January 2017, these bourbons have been resting in different rickhouses at the Tyrone campus for over eight years, developing distinct personalities despite their common birthdate. It's a testament to how location within a warehouse can dramatically influence the final product.
The Bold One: Eddie's Pick #1
The first selection comes from Rickhouse A, and it doesn't mess around. This barrel delivers what Russell describes as a classic, robust profile with serious spice running through it. The moment you bring the glass to your nose, you're greeted with nutmeg, caramel, and oak—the kind of aroma that makes you pause and appreciate what's about to happen.
On the palate, vanilla leads the charge, followed by pepper and cinnamon that remind you this bourbon means business. The finish extends nicely with toffee, sweet oak, and baking spice notes that linger long after you've set the glass down. The color presents as a coppery red, evidence of its time spent developing in the barrel.
This is the pick for those who appreciate bourbon with backbone—something that stands up and announces itself without apology. The spicy character running throughout makes it particularly appealing for anyone who enjoys that traditional Kentucky kick.
The Refined Alternative: Eddie's Pick #2
Eddie's second selection tells a different story entirely. Also distilled in January 2017 but aged in Rickhouse E, this expression takes a lighter, sweeter approach. Russell calls it perfect for the discerning palate, and that's not marketing speak—it genuinely offers something different from its rickhouse neighbor.
The nose on this one features sweet cream, vanilla, and honey. It's an inviting combination that suggests complexity without aggression. When you taste it, caramel comes forward first, followed by citrus notes that add brightness, and clove that provides just enough spice to keep things interesting.
The finish continues the sweeter theme with oak providing structure without overwhelming the more delicate flavors. Like its counterpart, it shows that same coppery red color, though the flavor journey takes you somewhere entirely different.
This selection appeals to those who appreciate subtlety and layered complexity. It's not trying to dominate your senses—it's offering them something to explore.
What Makes These Special
Private barrel selections represent something unique in the bourbon landscape. While large batches blend multiple barrels to achieve consistency, single barrel releases embrace variation. Each barrel develops its own character based on where it sits in the rickhouse, temperature fluctuations it experiences, and countless other factors that remain partly mysterious even to distillers.
Having Eddie Russell personally select these barrels adds another layer of significance. As Master Distiller, he's spent decades understanding how bourbon develops and what makes certain barrels stand out. His name and signature on these releases aren't just branding—they represent a professional reputation built over a lifetime in the industry.
The Tyrone campus location matters too. Different distillery campuses, warehouses, and even specific locations within those warehouses create distinct maturation environments. These two picks showcase how the same distillate, aged for the same amount of time but in different rickhouses, can produce notably different results.
The Reality of Limited Releases
Here's where things get practical. These bottles come with a one-per-customer limit and extremely limited inventory in select markets. That's not artificial scarcity—single barrels only produce so many bottles, and when they're gone, there won't be more. You can't just make another batch of an eight-year-old bourbon when demand exceeds supply.
For collectors and enthusiasts, this presents both opportunity and challenge. The opportunity lies in acquiring something genuinely limited that showcases exceptional craftsmanship. The challenge is deciding quickly, because hesitation often means missing out entirely.
The online-exclusive nature of these releases also changes the game. No more hunting through local stores or calling around to see who might have allocated bottles. If you're in a qualifying market and act quickly, you can secure a bottle without leaving home.
How to Approach These Bourbons
While there's no single correct way to enjoy whiskey, these particular bottles deserve some consideration in how you approach them. Given their single barrel nature and limited availability, taking time to explore their full range of flavors makes sense.
Starting neat—without ice or mixers—lets you experience everything the bourbon has to offer. You can always add water or ice later if you prefer, but you can't take it back out. A proper glass matters too. Something that concentrates the aromatics will enhance the experience significantly compared to a standard tumbler.
Consider trying both picks side by side if you manage to secure bottles of each. The contrast between the robust spice of Pick #1 and the sweeter complexity of Pick #2 illustrates beautifully how whiskey can vary even under similar conditions. It's an education in barrel influence and maturation environments.
What This Means for Bourbon Enthusiasts
These releases represent a broader trend in the bourbon market. As interest in premium American whiskey continues growing, distillers are offering more specialized releases that highlight specific aspects of their craft. Private barrel selections, master distiller picks, and other limited offerings let enthusiasts explore beyond standard product lines.
For those building collections, these bottles offer something beyond just good bourbon—they capture a specific moment in time. The January 2017 distillation date, the particular rickhouses, Eddie Russell's personal selection—these details won't be replicated. Future picks might be equally good or even better, but they'll be different.
The investment angle exists too, though it shouldn't be the primary motivation. Limited releases from respected distillers often appreciate over time, but the real value lies in having something special to open and enjoy, whether that's next week or years from now.
The Bottom Line
Eddie Russell's two Tyrone campus picks offer bourbon enthusiasts a legitimate opportunity to try something special. These aren't mass-produced bottles dressed up with fancy labels—they're genuine single barrel selections from a master distiller with serious credentials.
The robust, spicy character of Pick #1 and the sweeter, more nuanced profile of Pick #2 give buyers options depending on their preferences. Both showcase over eight years of careful aging at the Tyrone campus, and both represent the kind of quality that comes from decades of distilling expertise.
With the one-bottle limit and limited inventory, anyone interested shouldn't wait. These releases will sell out, and when they do, the opportunity passes. Whether you're an experienced bourbon collector or someone looking to add something exceptional to your home bar, these picks deserve serious consideration.
The real question isn't whether these are good bourbons—Eddie Russell's involvement and the tasting notes speak for themselves. The question is whether you'll act quickly enough to secure a bottle before they're gone.
