[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 121 (Wednesday, July 30, 2014)]
[Senate]
[Page S5122]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO JIMMY RUSSELL

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to a friend 
and legendary Kentuckian, Wild Turkey Distillery's Master Distiller 
Jimmy Russell. This year marks the 60th year Jimmy has been making 
Bourbon for Wild Turkey, a fact that the distillery is rightfully proud 
to celebrate. As a 60-year Bourbon veteran, Jimmy is the longest 
tenured active spirits master distiller in the world.
  Kentucky is, of course, the birthplace of Bourbon. The drink itself 
is named for Bourbon County, KY, in the heart of the Bluegrass State, 
where the product first emerged. Kentucky produces 95 percent of the 
world's Bourbon supply, and Kentucky's iconic Bourbon brands ship more 
than 30 million gallons of the spirit to 126 countries, making Bourbon 
the largest export category among all U.S. distilled spirits. Not only 
is Kentucky the overwhelming producer of the world's Bourbon, Bourbon 
gives much back to Kentucky. It is a vital part of the state's tourism 
and economy.
  Jimmy grew up only 5 miles away from the Wild Turkey Distillery, 
located in Lawrenceburg, KY. His passion for Bourbon led him to study 
under whiskey luminaries, including Bill Hughes, Wild Turkey's second 
master distiller; and Ernest W. Ripy, Jr., great-nephew of distillery 
founder James Ripy and Wild Turkey's third master distiller. Jimmy 
recalls being taken under Bill's wing and learning everything about the 
business from the ground up. Since becoming master distiller in the 
mid-1960s, he has traveled the world as an unofficial ambassador of 
Bourbon, introducing people from as far and wide as Japan and Australia 
to American's native spirit.
  Over the past 60 years, Jimmy has been responsible for the launches 
of several new Wild Turkey brands and expressions, such as Tradition, 
Tribute, 17-year-old Wild Turkey for Japan, Rare Breed, American 
Spirit, Kentucky Spirit and Russell's Reserve, which he cocreated with 
his son and distilling partner Eddie Russell. Jimmy broke new ground in 
1976 with the first honeyed Bourbon, at the time called Wild Turkey 
Liqueur. The evolution of that product today is known as American 
Honey. Jimmy is also responsible for overseeing the production of Wild 
Turkey 101, the distillery's flagship brand. This fall, Wild Turkey 
released a commemorative Diamond Anniversary limited-edition Bourbon 
created by Jimmy's son, distilling partner and Bourbon Hall of Famer 
Eddie Russell. As for Jimmy himself, he is known to enjoy his Bourbon 
neat or with a touch of branch water.
  As a legend in the distilled spirits industry, Jimmy is a member of 
the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame. He is a member of the Whiskey Hall 
of Fame and a whiskey judge for the International Wine and Spirits 
Competition. He has been honored by the Commonwealth of Kentucky 
General Assembly, been anointed a Kentucky Colonel, and received the 
key to the city from the mayor of Lawrenceburg.
  When not hard at work at Wild Turkey, Jimmy spends time with his wife 
Joretta. They have three children, Eddie, Mike, and Kathy, six 
grandchildren and one great-grandchild. An avid sports fan, Jimmy is a 
lifelong supporter of local Anderson County High School athletic 
programs for girls and boys.
  I want to congratulate Jimmy Russell for reaching his 60th 
anniversary of work at Wild Turkey Distillery. His lifetime of 
achievement in the distilled spirits industry is certainly something to 
be proud of. I know my Senate colleagues join me in commending Jimmy 
for decades of success.

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