How Much Does Wild Turkey Bourbon Cost? A Complete Price Guide

Wild Turkey is one of the most iconic and coveted bourbon brands in the world. Known for its high-rye mash bills and bold, spicy flavor profile, Wild Turkey has been producing exceptional Kentucky straight bourbons for over 60 years. But with so many expressions and special releases, Wild Turkey bourbon prices can vary wildly. So how much does Wild Turkey bourbon cost? Let’s take a deep dive into Wild Turkey’s core range and limited editions to find out.

An Overview of Wild Turkey’s Bourbon Lineup

First, let’s look at Wild Turkey’s core bourbon lineup This includes their flagship bourbons that are readily available worldwide

• Wild Turkey 101 ($25-$35 per 750ml bottle) – Wild Turkey’s high-proof flagship bourbon with notes of spice, vanilla, and oak. Aged for at least 6 years with a 505% ABV

• Wild Turkey Bourbon ($20-$30) – The 81 proof version of Wild Turkey’s classic bourbon, aged for at least 4 years. A lighter and more approachable option.

• Wild Turkey Rye ($30-$40) – A robust Kentucky straight rye whiskey, bottled at 81 proof. Has Wild Turkey’s signature rye spice.

• Wild Turkey Rare Breed ($55-$70) – A barrel proof blend of 6, 8, and 12 year old bourbons. Over 112 proof and bursting with flavor.

• Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit ($60-$80) – A single barrel, 101 proof bourbon aged for at least 8 years. Showcases a single barrel’s unique characteristics.

In addition to their core range, Wild Turkey produces a variety of limited edition and special release bourbons. These are produced in small batches and can demand hefty prices:

• Master’s Keep ($150-$500+) – Up to 17 years old finished in different cask types like sherry and rum. Their oldest and most coveted releases.

• Wild Turkey Diamond Anniversary (Discontinued) – Released for master distiller Jimmy Russell’s 60th anniversary. Now sells for $1000+ on the secondary market.

• Wild Turkey Cheesy Gold Foil (Discontinued) – An iconic 12 year old release from the 1970s that now commands prices over $2000.

• Wild Turkey Tribute (Discontinued) – Two limited 15 year old releases, one for the US and one for Japan. Secondary market value is $600+.

What Impacts Wild Turkey Bourbon’s Price?

There are a few key factors that impact the retail price of any Wild Turkey bourbon:

• Age – Older bourbons demand higher prices. For example, 12 year old bourbons like Tribute or Cheesy Gold Foil are far pricier than 4-6 year old standard releases. With age comes complexity, richness, and rarity.

• ABV/Proof – Higher alcohol by volume means more flavor intensity. Barrel proof or cask strength releases like Rare Breed fetch higher prices than lower proof bourbons.

• Mashbill – Bourbons with a higher rye content like Wild Turkey tend to be spicier and more coveted by enthusiasts. This also drives up pricing.

• Batch Size – Smaller batch limited editions understandably demand higher prices due to their exclusivity and finite nature.

• Awards/Ratings – Highly rated or award-winning releases achieve cult status, making them more desirable. For example, Wild Turkey’s Diamond Anniversary release.

• Special Finishes – Unique finishing processes like Oloroso sherry or rum cask aging increase perceived quality and pricing for limited editions like Master’s Keep.

How Wild Turkey Bourbon Compares to Other Brands

To provide more price context, let’s see how Wild Turkey stacks up against other major Kentucky straight bourbon brands:

• Jim Beam – Their white label bourbon starts around $20. Special releases like Booker’s can reach $90.

• Maker’s Mark – Retails for $30+ for their main bourbons. Limited editions like their wood finishing series are $70-$100.

• Four Roses – Yellow Label starts at $25. Small batch selections are $40-$60. Limited editions around $150.

• Heaven Hill – Standard releases like Evan Williams are $15+. Up to $100+ for older Limited Editions like the 27 Year.

Overall, Wild Turkey occupies a comfortable mid-tier pricing segment. They are more affordable than ultra-premium brands like Pappy Van Winkle that can cost thousands. But they offer greater complexity, age, and boldness than value-priced bourbons. This winning combination of quality and reasonable pricing is what makes Wild Turkey a top seller worldwide.

Is Wild Turkey Worth the Price?

At the end of the day, determining if Wild Turkey is “worth” the price depends on your budget, preferences, and whether you’re a bourbon enthusiast or casual drinker.

For bourbon beginners, Wild Turkey 101 provides an excellent introduction to the distillery’s style at around $25. It’s an easy-drinking high-rye bourbon with loads of flavor and personality.

For aficionados seeking rare and coveted releases, Wild Turkey’s limited editions and Master’s Keep series offer incredible cask strength bourbons aged over 17 years. These represent the pinnacle of what Wild Turkey can achieve. While expensive, they deliver complexity and nuance that’s hard to match at any price point.

And of course, BarrelProof standouts like Rare Breed and Kentucky Spirit showcase Wild Turkey’s knack for marrying high proof and age into expertly crafted bourbons. So while not cheap, they provide an outstanding bang-for-your-buck that’s hard to beat.

The Bottom Line on Wild Turkey Bourbon Prices

Wild Turkey offers outstanding bourbons across a wide range of price points. While their limited editions cater to collectors, even budget-minded drinkers can experience Wild Turkey’s signature flavor and quality in affordable mainstays like Wild Turkey 101.

Ultimately, Wild Turkey’s versatile price ladder makes it easy to find the right bourbon for your budget and drinking preferences. Their continued success is rooted in balancing premium quality with reasonable pricing. This winning formula should keep Wild Turkey as one of the world’s most beloved and best value bourbon brands for decades to come.