Wild Turkey

Wild Turkey 101 Rye Whiskey Review

On our way back home from an unforgettable honeymoon in Charleston late last year, my wife and I stopped in Tallahassee for gas.  I remembered reading about a great liquor store in the area, Market Square Liquors.  We were nearby and decided to take a quick detour.  Whenever I travel, I manage to squeeze in a visit to a liquor store or two.  I’m glad I did.  There was an impressive wall of bourbon and other whiskies.  My eye got drawn to a bottle of Wild Turkey 101 Rye.  With rye whisky experiencing somewhat of a renaissance, demand is high.  Wild Turkey 101 rye got taken off the market for a while.  While their 81 proof rye is available in most places, Wild Turkey’s 101 rye whiskey is currently limited to bars.  If that’s true, how did Market Square Liquors have several bottles for purchase?  Their bar is connected to their retail store and is owned by the same gentleman.  Needless to say I snatched up a bottle of WT 101 rye (also picked up a bottle of Woodford Reserve Master’s Collection Seasoned Oak Finish.)

Wild Turkey 101 proof rye whiskey is a blend of 4 and 5 year old whiskey stock.  On the nose I get primarily vanilla, honey and rye spice.  The flavors don’t differ much – lots of rye spice, honey, light caramel and mint.  The finish on this is medium and sweet, think honey for the aftertaste.

This is one of the sweeter rye whiskies I’ve tasted.  It’s not as sweet as Angel’s Envy Rye.  It holds up nicely in one of my favorite cocktails, the sazerac. I hope Wild Turkey’s supply of 101 rye catches up with the demand soon.  A liter bottle will run you just north of $30.  If you’re in the market for a rye and run across a bottle, snatch it up quickly.

8/10

Wild Turkey Diamond Anniversary Bourbon Whiskey Review

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Wild Turkey’s Master Distiller Jimmy Russell has been at it for more than 60 years, and he’s still going strong.  Sixty years in the bourbon industry…hell, 60 years in any industry is damn impressive.  To commemorate this milestone, Eddie Russell, Master Distiller and Jimmy’s son, put together this release.  Wild Turkey Diamond Anniversary is a blend of 13 to 16 year old stocks, bottled at 91 proof.

On the nose I get creamy vanilla, caramel, honey, brown sugar.  There’s a little bit of oak, but it’s softer and not as pronounced as I would have figured for a bourbon of this age.  The palate pretty much matches the nose, but adds a nice cinnamon spice.  The finish is medium in length and leaves a sweet aftertaste.

This was not a huge hit when it was released in mid-2014.  I’m not sure why.  This is one elegant bourbon.  Wild Turkey Diamond Anniversary is a loving tribute to one of the biggest names in the bourbon industry.  Wild Turkey 101 may be a bit rambunctious, where Wild Turkey Diamond Anniversary is cool and calculated, even elegant to a degree.  A bottle, if you can still find one, will run north of $115 (which is what I paid for my bottle).  Recommended to fans of Wild Turkey.

8.5/10

Wild Turkey Rare Breed Bourbon Whiskey Review

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Rare Breed is Wild Turkey at barrel strength.  Wild Turkey 101 is already bold enough on it’s own.  Is a barrel proof Wild Turkey even necessary?  Yes!  Any release that can get us as close as possible to what the Master Distillers taste from the barrel is necessary in my opinion.  Rare Breed is barrel proof, which means no water added.  Different batches vary in proof.  This one is 112.8 proof.  It is a blend of 6, 8, and 12 year old stocks of Wild Turkey bourbon.

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(Wild Turkey’s PR firm provided a review sample) The classic Wild Turkey aromas and flavors are here, albeit in a slightly more concentrated form.  On the nose there’s lots of vanilla, caramel, cinnamon spice and brown sugar.  Given its high alcohol content, there is a large bite upfront.  After it subsides, there’s sweet creamy vanilla, toffee, caramel, cinnamon spice, nutmeg and citrus (orange?).  Overall it’s a bit sweeter than Wild Turkey 101.  The finish is long and sweet.  It really warms your chest.

Do I prefer Rare Breed over Wild Turkey 101?  Slightly.  WT 101 is a great bourbon that’s budget price ($22).  Wild Turkey Rare Breed retails for about $45.  There’s more bang for your buck in a bottle of WT 101 than Rare Breed.  You’re paying $20+ for about 10 proof points and a smidge more flavor.  Is that enough of an upgrade? I think so, but ultimately that’s up to you. Recommended.

8.5/10