The Legendary Wild Turkey Cheesy Gold Foil

Wild Turkey’s Cheesy Gold Foil (CGF) is considered by many to be the holy grail of bourbon hunting. First released in the 1980s this 12-year-old bourbon earned a cult following that continues to this day. Let’s take a closer look at what makes this iconic whiskey so special.

A Product of the Bourbon Glut

CGF was born out of necessity during a time when the bourbon industry was struggling with oversupply. Distilleries had more aged whiskey than they knew what to do with, leading to dropping prices and sales.

To generate interest Wild Turkey decided to release a limited edition 12-year-old bourbon in fancy gold packaging. The flashy foil label and tube caught the eye of shoppers browsing liquor store shelves.

While the marketing gimmick worked initially sales of CGF were still relatively lackluster. Bourbon wasn’t very popular in the 1980s and many bottles sat collecting dust. Little did they know this would become one of the most coveted Wild Turkey releases in history.

The Profile of a Legend

So what exactly makes CGF taste so good? There are a few key factors:

• Lower barrel entry proof – Bourbon entered the barrel at a lower 107 proof compared to today’s 115 proof standard. This allowed for more flavor development.

• Lack of chill filtration – CGF wasn’t chill filtered, leaving fatty acids and proteins that added mouthfeel and flavor.

• Use of cypress fermentation tanks – Cypress imparted unique flavors not found with today’s stainless steel.

• Non-RO water – The local Kentucky limestone water had minerals that influenced the flavor.

• Age – Some batches likely had bourbon up to 20 years old, adding oakiness and maturity.

The CGF flavor profile delivers sweet notes of butterscotch, vanilla, and caramel upfront, transitioning to earthy leather, tobacco, and dusty oak. It’s rich and oily on the palate with a long, spicy finish.

The Hunt for CGF

With only a finite number of bottles produced, CGF has become a white whale item for many whiskey collectors. The secondary market sees bottles reselling for $600 or more when they can be found.

Enthusiasts search liquor store dusty shelves, hoping to uncover a forgotten bottle baring that unmistakable gold foil label. Of course, succeeding in that quest is easier said than done.

For those who can’t find or afford a real CGF bottle, similar flavor profiles can be found in [modern Wild Turkey expressions like Russell’s Reserve 2003, Master’s Keep 17 Year, and other 12 Year export editions]. While not exactly the same, they offer reminiscent tasting notes.

The Glut Era’s Legacy

The glut era was a difficult time for the bourbon industry, but it produced some incredible whiskey. Brands were forced to use high quality, well-aged stocks in their cheaper offerings just to sell them.

While a bargain at the time, these products now carry legendary status. For Wild Turkey, that product was Cheesy Gold Foil – a beautiful mistake born out of necessity.

Its flashy packaging and memorable name matched the unforgettable flavor inside. For bourbon lovers, CGF remains the gold standard of Wild Turkey achievements. Something we may never see the likes of again.