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W.B. Saffell Kentucky Straight Bourbon (375ml)
Overview
W.B. Saffell is part of the Whiskey Barons Collection, a series from Campari that revives the names of Kentucky's historic distilling families. Named after William Butler Saffell, a Lawrenceburg distiller who was setting down barrels in the 1880s, this bourbon is produced at the Wild Turkey Distillery and carries the signature of Master Distiller Eddie Russell.
What's in the bottle is a non-chill filtered blend of 6, 8, 10, and 12-year-old Kentucky straight bourbon, bottled at 107 proof. That combination of age range and proof gives it real depth and punch without losing balance. Fred Minnick called it the number one bourbon in a blind tasting against Pappy Van Winkle. That's not a throwaway line.
The Story Behind the Name
William Butler Saffell was born in 1843 and started distilling in his teenage years. By 1889 he had built his own distillery in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, the same town where Wild Turkey operates today. He passed away in 1910, leaving behind a legacy tied to one of the most bourbon-rich regions in the world. His family mansion still stands in Lawrenceburg, a tangible link to Kentucky's distilling past.
The Whiskey Barons Collection was launched by Campari in 2017 to honour figures like Saffell who shaped the early history of Kentucky bourbon. Each release in the series is connected to the Wild Turkey Distillery and its heritage in Lawrenceburg.
Why We Recommend It
At Bourbon Brothers, W.B. Saffell earns its place as one of the more interesting bottles on the shelf:
- A blend of 6 to 12-year barrels, more complexity than a single age statement delivers
- 107 proof with non-chill filtration, full flavour, nothing stripped out
- Eddie Russell's fingerprints are all over it, one of the best in the business
- Fred Minnick ranked it number one in a blind tasting against Pappy Van Winkle
- Named after a genuine piece of Kentucky distilling history
If you know Wild Turkey and want something that goes deeper, this is a solid step up.
Production & Craftsmanship
| Mash Bill | 75% Corn, 13% Rye, 12% Malted Barley |
| Blend | 6, 8, 10, and 12-year-old Kentucky straight bourbons |
| Distillery | Wild Turkey Distillery, Lawrenceburg, Kentucky |
| Master Distiller | Eddie Russell |
| Filtration | Non-chill filtered |
| Additives | None |
| Release Type | Batched limited release |
Blending across multiple age statements is a deliberate choice here. The younger barrels bring freshness and fruit, the older ones add oak, depth, and spice. At 107 proof and without chill filtration, nothing is lost in the process. What you get is the full picture of what those barrels have to offer.
Tasting Notes
Nose
Rich and inviting. Savory oak and barrel char sit alongside caramel, baking spice, and a touch of orange peel. Hazelnut and honey build underneath. More layered than the proof would suggest.
Palate
Full and oily. Caramel candy and sandalwood lead, followed by honey, orange, and vanilla. The rye adds spice and structure without overwhelming the sweeter notes. Balanced across the whole palate.
Finish
Long and satisfying. Butterscotch, clove, and a faint citrus note linger well after the glass. One of the better finishes at this price point.
What Makes This Bourbon Special
Awards & Recognition
- Ranked No. 1 by Fred Minnick in a blind tasting against Pappy Van Winkle
How to Enjoy
Best neat, and give it a few minutes in the glass before the first sip. At 107 proof it opens up nicely with time. A small amount of water will soften the proof and bring out more of the fruit without losing the body. Works well in an Old Fashioned if you want a cocktail with real backbone, but this one is worth drinking straight at least the first time.
Product Details
| Category | Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey |
| Collection | The Whiskey Barons Collection |
| Region | Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, USA |
| Distillery | Wild Turkey Distillery |
| Mash Bill | 75% Corn, 13% Rye, 12% Malted Barley |
| Age | Blend of 6, 8, 10, and 12-year barrels |
| ABV | 53.5% (107 Proof) |
| Filtration | Non-chill filtered |
| Release Type | Batched limited release |
| Bottle Size | 750ml |
| Country | USA |
Overview
W.B. Saffell is part of the Whiskey Barons Collection, a series from Campari that revives the names of Kentucky's historic distilling families. Named after William Butler Saffell, a Lawrenceburg distiller who was setting down barrels in the 1880s, this bourbon is produced at the Wild Turkey Distillery and carries the signature of Master Distiller Eddie Russell.
What's in the bottle is a non-chill filtered blend of 6, 8, 10, and 12-year-old Kentucky straight bourbon, bottled at 107 proof. That combination of age range and proof gives it real depth and punch without losing balance. Fred Minnick called it the number one bourbon in a blind tasting against Pappy Van Winkle. That's not a throwaway line.
The Story Behind the Name
William Butler Saffell was born in 1843 and started distilling in his teenage years. By 1889 he had built his own distillery in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, the same town where Wild Turkey operates today. He passed away in 1910, leaving behind a legacy tied to one of the most bourbon-rich regions in the world. His family mansion still stands in Lawrenceburg, a tangible link to Kentucky's distilling past.
The Whiskey Barons Collection was launched by Campari in 2017 to honour figures like Saffell who shaped the early history of Kentucky bourbon. Each release in the series is connected to the Wild Turkey Distillery and its heritage in Lawrenceburg.
Why We Recommend It
At Bourbon Brothers, W.B. Saffell earns its place as one of the more interesting bottles on the shelf:
- A blend of 6 to 12-year barrels, more complexity than a single age statement delivers
- 107 proof with non-chill filtration, full flavour, nothing stripped out
- Eddie Russell's fingerprints are all over it, one of the best in the business
- Fred Minnick ranked it number one in a blind tasting against Pappy Van Winkle
- Named after a genuine piece of Kentucky distilling history
If you know Wild Turkey and want something that goes deeper, this is a solid step up.
Production & Craftsmanship
| Mash Bill | 75% Corn, 13% Rye, 12% Malted Barley |
| Blend | 6, 8, 10, and 12-year-old Kentucky straight bourbons |
| Distillery | Wild Turkey Distillery, Lawrenceburg, Kentucky |
| Master Distiller | Eddie Russell |
| Filtration | Non-chill filtered |
| Additives | None |
| Release Type | Batched limited release |
Blending across multiple age statements is a deliberate choice here. The younger barrels bring freshness and fruit, the older ones add oak, depth, and spice. At 107 proof and without chill filtration, nothing is lost in the process. What you get is the full picture of what those barrels have to offer.
Tasting Notes
Nose
Rich and inviting. Savory oak and barrel char sit alongside caramel, baking spice, and a touch of orange peel. Hazelnut and honey build underneath. More layered than the proof would suggest.
Palate
Full and oily. Caramel candy and sandalwood lead, followed by honey, orange, and vanilla. The rye adds spice and structure without overwhelming the sweeter notes. Balanced across the whole palate.
Finish
Long and satisfying. Butterscotch, clove, and a faint citrus note linger well after the glass. One of the better finishes at this price point.
What Makes This Bourbon Special
Awards & Recognition
- Ranked No. 1 by Fred Minnick in a blind tasting against Pappy Van Winkle
How to Enjoy
Best neat, and give it a few minutes in the glass before the first sip. At 107 proof it opens up nicely with time. A small amount of water will soften the proof and bring out more of the fruit without losing the body. Works well in an Old Fashioned if you want a cocktail with real backbone, but this one is worth drinking straight at least the first time.
Product Details
| Category | Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey |
| Collection | The Whiskey Barons Collection |
| Region | Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, USA |
| Distillery | Wild Turkey Distillery |
| Mash Bill | 75% Corn, 13% Rye, 12% Malted Barley |
| Age | Blend of 6, 8, 10, and 12-year barrels |
| ABV | 53.5% (107 Proof) |
| Filtration | Non-chill filtered |
| Release Type | Batched limited release |
| Bottle Size | 750ml |
| Country | USA |