Russell’s Reserve 10 Year Bourbon Review & Disability Pride Month with Emily Chambers

Today on the Bourbon Bites podcast, I'm sitting down with a friend from the Whiskey Tube community and chatting Russell's Reserve tenure and how to make whiskey more inclusive

Hello everyone and welcome to the Bourbon Bites podcast. I'm your host Clifton and today I am so excited to invite one of the most well-known members of our community that doesn't have a channel

Please welcome to the show, Emily Chambers. Emily, thank you so much for joining today. Thank you so much for having me, Clefta

And I really appreciate the opportunity. You know, I really believe in this community

and I do my best to be as supportive as I can. So I really appreciate the opportunity

to expand that whenever possible. Awesome. So if you guys don't know Emily

she is one of the amazing mods across WhiskeyTube. She is in more channels

How many channels do you mod for? Do you even know? um last count on whiskey tubes specifically was around seven or eight wow um and then

i'm i'm kind of delving into different aspects of the nerd um geeks here as well so i'm gonna need

a bigger tool belt pretty soon well we we are so thankful to have you you know in our chats i mean

especially with all the bots coming out lately like it's so grateful to have you and the other

mods across the community, helping keeping the chat, you know, sane, safe, and enjoyable for

everyone. So first of all, I want to start by saying thank you for your amazing work there

Well, thank you for having us all. And you know, it's just, it's about keeping everybody safe and

keeping stuff rolling and try to add whatever value or information we can while you host

or busy hosting. And you can't know everything on the fly. Yeah, especially like when I have a guest

on, it's always, it's difficult when I'm interviewing someone from a distillery, like I keep up with the chat, but not as much as when I'm just by myself. So a lot of times I'll miss

something that happens and I see that you guys catch it. And I'm so grateful for that. So if you

guys are just listening to the podcast, you may not know that I do a live stream on YouTube. That's

what we're talking about with the live chat there every Thursday night. People are live across

WhiskeyTube every night of the week. So Emily, we thank you so much for keeping holding down the

floor, I guess we should say. I try. I do what I can. So glad to do it. Thank you so much

So I've invited Emily on the show today. One, because I enjoy chatting with her. And two, we share a common passion. But not just that, we share a lot in common in terms of things outside of WhiskeyTube. So Emily actually let me know that this month, the month of July, is Disabilities Pride Month, which is something that I didn't know existed. And I'm a little upset because I'm like, I could have had two Pride Months in a row. What the heck

Well, now you know. Exactly. So Emily, tell us a little bit about what this month really celebrates and just what it represents to you

Well, it started initially because the ADA, which is the Americans with Disabilities Act

was initially passed on July 26th, I believe, of 1988. So that's why July was chosen as Disability

Pride Month. For myself and a lot of advocates that I know, especially if you grow up disabled

it's sort of a badge of honor scar story that we just kind of incorporate into the rest of our

identities. For the month itself, it's really to be able to put forward the

diversity of experiences that are real and valid for disabled people across the

board. And you know, I'm proud to be who I am, and the reality for me is I

wouldn't be the same person if I hadn't grown up with the same experiences of

disability and medical experiences that I did. So that's really important to me

being able to have July as a way to really celebrate the realities and the positives of

the totality of my experience as it relates to disability and other things is really

important to me. So it's an opportunity I'm really glad to have

Absolutely. And for those of you, again, people that may just listen to the podcast and don't

watch me live, I actually am part of the community. I am a right arm amputee. I've been this way

since I was three days old, I had a hemangioma on my arm that basically caused all the blood

from my body to flow into this giant bubble on my right arm. So I had to get that removed. Or

basically, you know, the only other option was, you know, not surviving. So I'm grateful for my

parents for making that decision and that I'm here today. But yeah, it is a community that I

grew up around a lot of people. I went to the Shriners Hospital in Greenville, South Carolina

I was around a bunch of other children with disabilities all across the board

But it's something that I really want to be more involved with now that I'm older and have not necessarily, you know, a huge platform, but some sort of a platform

So that's kind of why I wanted to do this podcast today, because I think it's something that there's a lot to talk about within the community

And who better to have it with than Emily, who is such a big advocate for these issues

Oh, absolutely. So, Emily, do you want to drink some bourbon? I have Russell's 10 poured. It's kind of growing on me

Yeah, so you mentioned that you've been drinking a lot of this one lately. So I grabbed a bottle of it yesterday. I haven't had it in a minute, but I'm so excited to get it poured. So I'm gonna go ahead and get that open and get that poured

Nice. So what was your journey? You've been enjoying Russell's lately, but you said that you kind of, Wild Turkey 101 had like a pretty big impact when you were getting into whiskey

Wild Turkey, I was able to try late enough that I really liked it. I didn't get any of the negative

stigma. So that was kind of where I wanted to head in this Russell's pen when it was available

easily where I am. I actually started, funnily enough, with Johnny Walker Black in college

It kept me away from the riffraff of crap in college. It's like, okay, well

do you have Johnny Walker Black? No? Well, then I'll just have a water. It's fine

Yeah and I a fan of Johnny Walker Black It was actually one of the first scotches that I actually ended up trying So I did have a good experience with that too when I was trying to get into exploring beyond just bourbon Yeah it a nice underrated sort of starting point

It has changed since I had it initially, so it's not quite as much of a favorite as it used to be

But it was a nice place to play. And it was funny also that when I really started getting into whiskey once I found the community

Deanston was one of my first other Scotch go-tos, which I found out the other day

Clifton, is something that you're really a fan of as well. Yeah, I was drinking some Deanston last night on the Dungeons and Drams, which is our D&D campaign

I have with a few other channels. And yeah, I had three different Deanstons last night

and I realized why I love them so much. They're just so good. They're one of the few Highlands

that I can really get into. Right. It's such a light starting point that it's a really nice way

to go and really get your feet wet. As an everyday pour, I do really like the Wild Turkey products

the 101, the Rare Breed. The Russell's 10 is good. It's sweet and caramelly and a little bit

of vanilla. It's nice. If I had to do it again, I'd probably lean more towards Rare Breed. But

I've not had a Wild Turkey product that's really done me wrong

Yeah, for sure. So like I said, I haven't had Russell's 10 in a long time. I've had a few

single barrels which um are higher proof so this one is a 90 proof bottle like i said it's a 10 year

um so yeah i think with wild turkey i i also agree that they have done no wrong not that they've done

no wrong let's i haven't tried every wild turkey ever but i will say all the ones that i've tried

i've enjoyed them all for what they are i mean i even did a podcast recently on long branch which

i think a lot of people hate on a bit but like to me i really like long branch i mean for what it is

Again, you know, some people may argue that it's a little pricey, which I agree

Speaking of price, this Russell's 10 is about $40 in my area, which is in Southern California

How about your area, Emily? When I got it the other day, it was about $35, so similar price point

It runs between that $40, $30-ish range. Okay. I'm giving this a nose right now

I think, to me, I can definitely tell it's got some age on it

I mean, a lot of wild turkey products, especially the ones that are, you know, a little bit lower price

don't have age statements but to me there's a lot more oak coming off of the nose on this than i

than i think i've had with many other wild turkey products at least at least to me right now yeah

it does have a really nice oak it's not like a woodford experiment where you're like okay what

can i cut this with kind of thing and i think i mean to me it's also like typical wild turkey

spice i think it has a certain element to it that i think it's not not quite cinnamon i don't know

I'm so bad with naming specific, you know, baking spices, but there's definitely the typical wild turkey note that I've gotten across their lineup

But like I said, it's complemented by that wood that I feel like I don't usually get. I'm really liking the nose on this one

You think it's clove maybe? Maybe a little bit of black pepper or nutmeg

Yeah, I was actually, I was thinking nutmeg, but I could also see clove there as well

All right, well, I'm excited to go in and give it a sip. So cheers. Cheers

Now you got me stuck on clove. So like, that's definitely the first thing I taste with this one. I'm trying to pull out those spices. I'm thinking maybe some all spice. Yeah, some of that as well

I still get a bit of cinnamon. I think I always get a little cinnamon on wild turkey. I think also

it complements the oak spice that I think's there too. So there's like a bit of the wood spice

some of the more traditional kind of char elements to it that I think, again, waiting for a 10-year-old

product. But I think the cinnamon goes with that as well as the sweetness. You mentioned sweetness

early on in this one. I do agree. It's pretty sweet compared to some of the higher proof releases

especially like rare breed i think this is a bit sweeter it is sweet especially on the front it's

a little bit thinner i think than rare breed typically is just because the oil differences

but um it's a nice solid pour and if i see it again um hopefully maybe on sale i will definitely

keep that in rotation i'm i'm happy with this yeah have you had any of the single barrels i have not

had to have single barrel yet no gotcha uh so so i think this one is first of all it's cheaper

Those are almost double the price from my memory. I think those are, they're close to like $65

I think honestly, unless it's a store that I really trust and really like their flavor

profile, I think I would rather buy this than some of the, just the off the shelf single

barrels, because I've had some really hit or miss ones. I think this one is more solid, more traditional

And especially if you're looking for something with that classic wild turkey profile, I think

Russell's 10 is just where it's at. I mean, if you, especially if you don't prefer the super high proofs, like the barrel strands

like rare breed and things like that. if you want just a solid, not necessarily low proof, it's 90 proof, it's not 80 proof

but something with some good age on it and like a mid to low proof. Yeah, Russell's 10 is where

it's at. Yeah, it's a nice middle ground. And actually, now that we're here, I'm thinking

I wonder what kind of a Manhattan I could make with this. Oh, okay. That would probably be fun

I should try that. Yeah, definitely. I think with the sweetness, it almost, I mean, when I'm thinking

of a Manhattan, it kind of does taste a little bit like a vermouth. I don't know what it is about

it. It has a bit of like a berry note that I think would be really complimentary to like a

really nice vermouth. I mean, man, I may have to try this after this recording

Right. There you go. So while we're here, we have a great glass of bourbon, but I wanted to kind of

you know, take this as an opportunity. I mean, you've shared some really amazing resources with

me over the past few weeks. I'll open the floor to you, Emily. I think you have so many great

you know, ideas and opinions on these things. I think let's open it up to you. What do you want

to talk about today? Part of it is just starting with a love letter to the community. And when I

found WhiskeyTube as a community, I did not disclose my disability status. It was not until

about a year in that I really felt comfortable enough with some of the issues that were coming

up to really say, okay, either I'm honest about this with these people who I care for and trust

or I going to have to lie about it for every other interaction that I have with them and I don want to do that So that really gave me the grace and the space to go forward with that and I forever grateful And it my hope that by being involved in communities like WhiskeyTube that I can really

make a difference that way, not by necessarily beating people over the head with disability

specific related issues, but really showing myself as more of a whole complex, complicated person

with information and interests that people can relate on even if my experience is something that

is really different or really scary to some people. So I like to open doors as much as I possibly can

for people. And if whiskey's a way to do that, then I'm all for it. Also, it tastes really good

generally. So that's always a good thing. Very true. Well, and that's interesting that you

approached it that way. I mean, I think of something to me that resonates with is

for me being you know a part of the lgbt community i identify as gay and you know i'm married i have

a husband and i feel like that's kind of a community that is kind of not necessarily

represented especially in the whiskey industry so i always think of like i think about that you

know anytime i'm talking about that kind of issue on my channel on the podcast you know i feel like

not that i'm you know the voice of the gays but like i feel like maybe i'm the only gay person

they watch on whiskey tube and maybe you know even if it just changes one person's mind and like hey

You know, gay people aren't that different from me. You know, if we have a common interest, I think that's really important. And that's one thing that I do strive for with the channel. And it sounds like the way you that's kind of how you see, you know, being part of the disabled community in inside another community like the whiskey community

That's part of it. I do believe it's not always sunshine and roses and rainbows, but sometimes it is saying, you know, I had a really awful day with whatever else happened or like equipment or wheelchair stuff broke or how am I going to deal with that

But I know at the end of the day that I can take refuge in places like WhiskeyTube and other places, knowing that I can show up whatever kind of day that I'm having with people who care for me

Because when there are good days, you know, there are other positive things to share

and even though I have far from the most impressive collection on WhiskeyTube or anywhere really

like I've been lucky enough to try some really amazing pours gifted to me by Donnie the Linux Cat and Trev and others

And I'm just so grateful for everything that I'm able to experience as part of this community and others

And even if I don't have the means to share that direct experience with other people

I want to do as much as I can to extend that in a realistic but also positive way

So really, my push is mostly just lean into authenticity. And sometimes that's ugly, but it is what it is

You know, sometimes you get a bad pour and you don't really cry about it. You just go, oh, I don't really want to do that again

No, I'm good. I don't need any more of that ever. And you just take it as a learning experience

Absolutely. So you mentioned earlier that you use a wheelchair. Can you tell us a little bit about your experience with that

Basically, I am a full-time power wheelchair user. So effectively, I navigate the world strapped to 400 plus pounds of equipment

I don't really do settle unless it's on online venues. I can kind of sneak in and people don't really notice that much

But, you know, in sort of IRL world, I'm very physically obvious to people

So that's just part of that's just part of what reality is for me

Well, it's interesting that you say that because I feel like it's sort of why I feel safe a bit online when I'm recording the live streams of the podcast

It's not front and center that I do have a disability. The one-arm thing, unless you meet me in person, a lot of times people online don't see that

And to be honest, I do get a little bit of comfort in that. Now, I feel like I shouldn't, and I'm kind of not mad at myself about that, but I really wish I could be a little more not open about it because I am

if anyone asks me, I mean, people know, but a lot of people don't. So it's always that awkward

moment. Like whenever I'm going to meet someone in person, I'm going to a whiskey festival or, you know, just meeting like a viewer or just a friend from whiskey tube. I always have to be

like, do they know I have one arm? And I always feel so self-conscious when I'm approaching them

for the first time. Like I'm going to a meetup that we're doing in September for a bunch of

channels, um, as well as just viewers of whiskey tube. And honestly, I'm not going to lie. I'm a

little bit nervous. Like I, I just feel like there's maybe a lot of people that may not know that I have one arm and you know you know you always get stares and you you worry about things

like that but how have you found um kind of approaching that kind of situation you mentioned

a little bit of it earlier but I just wonder if you had anything else to say on that I in the real

world have sort of a reputation for kind of a little bit of RBS which is uh resting rich face

if I don't know you really well and you approach me with um what I feel to be invasive questions

There are times in my life where people's idea of an icebreaker is, how do you have sex

Where do I get a wheelchair like that? What's wrong with you? Wait, that's their icebreaker question

That's the first thing they ask you is like, how do you have sex? Yeah, literally. And I'm like, what's that with you

Yeah, right? That's, oh man, that's horrible. So it's one of those things that in my situation, I can't help but realize that it's going to

be an issue for some people. and I try to sort of just kind of play it off as much as I can until either it is a legitimate issue

with like, oh, there's not a ramp. Where's the ramp? Where do I go from here? But especially

places like WhiskeyTube have really given me some of the confidence to be more secure in the idea

of, you know, a lot of these people already like me for me. And even if they're not fully prepared

for the visual, I'm okay with that to some extent, because even if it doesn't go as I would hope for

one individual overall, I've had enough one-on-one conversations with other people in the group that

overall I can make the best of it So that that kind of how I lean into that Yeah absolutely And I think you know this actually might be a good direction maybe to take this conversation I think you know a lot of people listening you know may not know how what appropriate

the appropriate way to react in certain situations. And, you know, some people are like, do I mention it? Do I do I notice like, you know, what would be your ideal, you know

first interaction, let's say you've talked to someone online, you just haven't met them in person, how would you not that how would you want them to act? That doesn't sound necessarily

correct but like what what would you hope for with that first interaction generally my first hope is

that if we've had a fair amount of interaction online that you remember how you know me from

the virtual space first um so like you know i'm you know i'm a coffee nerd you know i'm a sci-fi

nerd you obviously know that like i i love scotch and bourbon and those kinds of things and let's

start with there and then if the rest of if you if we can kind of build off

conversations we've already had in a positive way after that if you have

authentic honest convert like questions to ask I'm okay with that and I don't

mind being able to be a support system and a sounding board for people I like to

be able to do that when I have the energy to do so it is not if I'm not

part of like paid staff to do that it is not my job to educate people but if

you're somebody that we already have a relationship I like to be able to help build um authentic

relationships um as much as as much as I can with people you know let's try and make the world a

little better or our corner of it our corner of the world's a little better for everybody and

I'm glad to be part of that absolutely and I that's a great way to put it I mean you know

like you said make if you're gonna have a conversation with us you know make it about us

make it about you know what you know about us um you know our shared love our shared interest or

even if you know you're new to meeting someone you know don't like to just be the first question be

like what happened to your arm it's like you know when i was little that was always what everyone always asked me like first first interaction what happened to your arm that always bothered me but

like you said you know once you're getting to know someone and you're asking it in genuine curiosity i have no issue talking about it it's just when it's just the way that it's approached you know

that's not that's not the first thing about my personality i want you to get to know if that

makes sense maybe the first visual thing you see about me oh he's missing an arm but like don't

base your opinion on me based on, you know, what you see. I think that's one of the things that I

think is most important. You know, like I'm more of a person than what, you know, you may see as my

disability, if that makes sense. Right. No person is just one thing. And overall, I have, you know

90 plus percent positive things to say about the whiskey community and whiskey tubes specifically

And the parts where I just didn't fit, I just kind of went, okay, that's not a place where I fit

I'll just go find some places that I do fit. And I was lucky to find places like your channel and

others that were really welcoming to me. And your Discord, Clifton, and the Hangouts in particular

when COVID was really at its peak, I think were a really big deal for everybody. And there are

people there who I'm forever grateful to whatever happens because that's been an outlet. I wouldn't

you've had it without your tail specifically. Absolutely. Hey, good segue to my Discord server

If you guys are not yet part of it, you can go to bourbonbites.com. There's a link there to the Discord server

Everyone is welcome there. Like Emily said, it's a very diverse group of people

but we all have a passion for whiskey. And I've met so many friends on the Discord itself

that I didn't know beforehand. And I feel so grateful that I had the idea

to just start a Discord server where we could all chat just throughout the day

Not just my live streams on Thursday. I get to actually interact with people every day

And it's just been such a positive, like you said, during COVID. I mean, it was basically my social outlet

So I'm really grateful for the community that's grown there and everyone that contributes to that

You guys, I love you all so much. Yeah, thank you. And the culinary side of the Bourbon Bite server in particular is really a thing to behold

Oh, yeah. Yeah, the steaks and the people going out to eat. It's just..

Yeah, the steaks and the cocktails and all the things. Yeah, it's such a talented community

Yes, exactly. Wow, this has been such a great conversation. Thank you so much, Emily, for coming on

I love chatting with you and I love getting your perspective on things. I think, you know, this community is so great

And yes, there's ways that we can all do better. But overall, are there any kind of final thoughts you have just about WhiskeyTube or just the community in general

I think especially with WhiskeyTube, there's a place for most people depending on what your interests or your culinary knowledge are

And if you find a place that you're not a good fit for, there's probably another channel just around somewhere with a different focus that you can dig into

And just there shouldn't be any stress if you find a community where you don't really fit as well

Just, you know, keep looking until you find your spots where you feel like you have something to contribute and then to get something back

So I think that's just generally a good way to handle things online. So thank you so much again, Clifton, for the opportunity

I'm just so intensely grateful for the entirety of this community. Thank you so much

Well, thank you for all you do for the community. And for those of you listening, thank you for listening

Hopefully you feel comfortable here on my channel. And if you have anything that, you know, maybe something you want to address or something that you would like me to talk about, feel free to email me anytime

Contact at bourbonbites.com. Love hearing your feedback. If there's anything I can improve on and, you know, talk about different issues that I haven't touched on before, definitely let me know

But most of all, thank you guys so much for listening. This has been the Bourbon Bites podcast

Cheers, and I'll talk to you next episode. Bye, y'all