I think I owe you all an explanation. Wild Turkey 101 is something I have spoken about in so many articles that I should probably explain why it is always on my mind.
Nostalgia and rose-tinted glasses aside, Wild Turkey 101 is not only a historic bottle of bourbon, it is arguably the best bang-for-your-buck bourbon on the planet. The entire planet. It is a bottle that even the most intense whiskey drinkers respect. The price, the proof, the flavor, the distillery, the history. It has it all, and it is something we can all readily experience.
Premiumization is rife across whiskey, but this bottle constantly outperforms a lot of its premium competitors.
What Is Wild Turkey?
Wild Turkey is a classic Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey based in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky. The brand’s roots reach back to the Ripy Distillery, with Austin, Nichols & Co., a wholesaler, buying whiskey from the distillery and eventually giving it the Wild Turkey name.
The brand officially launched in 1942 and has since been owned by several large drinks companies. Today, it sits under the ownership of Campari. A mash bill of 75% corn, 13% rye and 12% malted barley provides the basis for a well-structured bourbon with plenty of soft spice to set it apart.
Is Wild Turkey A Bourbon Or A Whiskey?
Wild Turkey is a bourbon, although all bourbons are whiskeys. They are just made in the USA under a strict set of laws.
Wild Turkey is made from a majority of corn, aged in fresh, charred American oak and follows the rules around distillation strength and barrel entry proof. An interesting fact, and something Maker’s Mark also does, is that this whiskey enters the barrel at 55% ABV, which is well below the legal maximum. The idea is that a lower entry proof allows more interaction with the sugars in the freshly charred wood, resulting in greater flavor.
What Is Wild Turkey 101?
Technically introduced in the early 1940s, Wild Turkey 101 saw its first real introduction in the 1970s as Wild Turkey 101 8 Year Old. The age statement later disappeared and has since returned in some form this decade.
Bottled at 50.5% ABV, or 101 proof, this is a full-flavored version of the Wild Turkey mash bill that offers huge, rounded notes of classic Kentucky bourbon.
What Does Wild Turkey 101 Taste Like?
It is not enough for me to simply write that it is excellent. The nose is layered with caramel, stroopwafels, sweet mint, earthy rye spice and barley.
On the palate, it is all about caramel, mint, earthy spice, cream soda, lemon zest and baked vanilla. The finish is pronounced and spicy, with lots of lively rye spice and sweet, buttery corn influence. Barrel spices take over, combining fresh oak with more vanilla and caramel.
What Does A Bottle Cost?
In the States, this will cost you anywhere between $25 and $30 a bottle. I thought it was good value in the UK, but in the US it is an insanely well-priced bottle that really drives home how much bang for your buck this thing offers.
In the UK, it is normally just over £30 a bottle, although it is often on sale for around £25 to £28. That is outstanding. Even when it is not on sale, it absolutely devastates the majority of its rivals on pricing.
What Other Wild Turkey Expressions Are Worth Trying?
So many. All of them, in fact.
Specifically, if you want even more from your Wild Turkey experience, you can upgrade to Rare Breed. This is the barrel-proof version of Wild Turkey, and it includes some older whiskeys in the vatting.
There are also limited edition releases such as Master’s Keep, which often focus on cask finishing or different ages of stock. They are hard to find in the UK and can be expensive on the secondary market elsewhere, but they are totally worth trying if you get the chance.
The Verdict: Why Wild Turkey 101 Still Delivers
I hope I have convinced you to come and join the Turkey Club. It is honestly so fabulous and so well put together that it is hard not to talk about it in the gushing way I am now.
Grab yourself a bottle and get involved.
Read the full article at Wild Turkey 101 And Beyond — The Bourbon Range A Former Whisky Shop Manager Rates
