Jimmy Russell to share Wild Turkey role with son

Wild Turkey has promoted Eddie Russell to master distiller, sharing the role with his father and Bourbon veteran Jimmy Russell.

Jimmy Russell will share his role as master distiller at Wild Turkey with son Eddie Russell

The appointment makes the Kentucky distillery, owned by Gruppo Campari, the first to have father-and-son master distillers working together at the same time.

The transition also marks Jimmy Russell’s 60^th anniversary with the company as master distiller.

The pair will share the role, with Eddie, who has worked at the distillery since 1981, most recently as associate distiller, taking on more responsibility as brand ambassador at events around the world, including Australia, Japan, Brazil and the UK.

Jimmy Russell said: “It is with great pride that I announce today that Eddie Russell has been promoted to Wild Turkey master distiller. After 34 years, I think he’s finally earned it, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to go any easier on him – or that I’m going anywhere anytime soon. Eddie and I will work side by side as the industry’s only father/son Master Distillers.

“When Eddie began working at the distillery, I made him do every job there was, even cutting the grass, so the other employees wouldn’t think I was showing him favoritism. I was probably a lot harder on him than I needed to be, but it was all to help him get to this very special moment today.”

Earlier this year Eddie Russell crafted the Wild Turkey Diamond Anniversary edition in honour of his father’s service to the distillery.

The pair have also created a new Russell’s Reserve expression that will be available later in the year.