Exploring Wild Turkey’s Coveted 13 Year Old Bourbons: Father & Son vs. Distiller’s Reserve

Wild Turkey’s legendary father-son Master Distiller duo Jimmy and Eddie Russell have produced some of the most coveted bourbons in the world Two of their most sought-after releases are the 13 year old Father & Son and Distiller’s Reserve expressions As hard-to-find export-only releases, these two bourbons demonstrate Wild Turkey’s commitment to age and quality. Let’s take a deep dive into what makes them so special.

The Story Behind Father & Son

Released in 2020 Father & Son pays tribute to the Russells and their remarkable legacy as the only father-son Master Distiller team in the industry. It was initially launched as a travel retail exclusive before a limited quantity made its way to Europe and into the hands of collectors.

Father & Son is a 13 year old Kentucky straight bourbon bottled at 86 proof. It is crafted from Wild Turkey’s classic high-rye mashbill of 75% corn, 13% rye, and 12% malted barley. The age and lower proof point to a bourbon emphasizing finesse and balance over sheer power.

Tasting Notes for Father & Son

In the glass, Father & Son is a deep amber hue. The nose opens with fragrant oak, dark cherry, leather, and apple-cinnamon. On the palate, it is surprisingly full-bodied and velvety with notes of vanilla, chocolate, and green apple. The finish is medium long with burnt honey, tea, and herbaceous oak spice.

While delicate at 86 proof, Father & Son demonstrates remarkable complexity and flavor for such a gentle whiskey. It represents an elegant side of Wild Turkey without compromising on richness.

The Origins of Distiller’s Reserve

Distiller’s Reserve has an equally fascinating story behind it. Released around 2013 as an exclusive for the Japanese market, it replaced the previous 12 Year export version.

Distiller’s Reserve represents a quintessential aged Wild Turkey profile bottled at 101 proof – the iconic high proof associated with the brand. It also utilizes the standard mashbill, showing how age amplifies Wild Turkey’s inherent boldness.

Evaluating Distiller’s Reserve

In the glass, Distiller’s Reserve glows a dark amber hue. The nose is an intense mix of browned butter, molasses, oak char, and baking spices. Each sip delivers bold flavors of caramel, vanilla, toasted pecan, and dried fruit. The finish is very long and warming with lingering oak and spice.

At 13 years and 101 proof, Distiller’s Reserve lives up to expectations as an amped up version of the classic Wild Turkey flavor profile. It’s rich, intense, and dripping with complexity. The extra year in the barrel and higher proof make a noticeable impact.

How Do They Compare Side-By-Side?

Based on taste alone, Father & Son and Distiller’s Reserve showcase the versatility of Wild Turkey’s whiskey. Despite their similarities on paper, they deliver remarkably different drinking experiences.

Father & Son comes across brighter and more delicate with its notes of fruit and florals. In contrast, Distiller’s Reserve loads every sip with dense, muscular flavors. It’s like tasting two different distilleries.

Both are phenomenal sipping bourbons in their own right. Distiller’s Reserve gets the slight edge for me personally thanks to its bolder, more dynamic flavor profile. But bourbon enthusiasts should consider themselves lucky to sample either of these limited edition Wild Turkey offerings.

Availability and Pricing

These bourbons command hefty prices on the secondary market, reflecting their rarity and reputation. Father & Son tends to trade between $300-500, while Distiller’s Reserve fetches $600 or more per bottle.

For those lucky enough to encounter them in the wild, Father & Son retails around $80 and Distiller’s Reserve can be had for $100-150 in Japan. At those prices, they are tremendous values for the quality.

The hype is real with these coveted Wild Turkey bourbons. For fans of the brand, part of the appeal lies in tasting whiskies from an iconic distillery at their peak. These represent some of the oldest stocks Wild Turkey produces, bottled at the perfect point of maturity.

In Closing

Jimmy and Eddie Russell have crafted magic in these 13 year old bourbons. Both Father & Son and Distiller’s Reserve stand tall as monumental achievements in the brand’s decorated history. Savor them neat, on the rocks, or mixed into a cocktail – you can’t go wrong with such well-aged whiskey. Here’s to chasing down a pour of Wild Turkey’s finest. The hunt is undoubtedly worth the effort.