Why is the Wild Turkey Distillery Closed? Exploring the History and Future of a Bourbon Icon

The Wild Turkey distillery holds an important place in bourbon history. Since the 1800s, the distillery in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky has produced one of the most iconic bourbons. Wild Turkey offers a distinctive full-flavored taste profile that many enthusiasts adore. So it came as a shock when the facility temporarily shut down in 2021. Why is the Wild Turkey distillery closed? When will it reopen? This article will explore the history closure, and potential future of this legendary Kentucky bourbon brand.

A Long History of Bourbon Production

The roots of Wild Turkey date back to 1869 when the Ripy family established a distillery along the Kentucky River They utilized the abundant local corn and limestone water to make bourbon. The Rippy family sold the distillery to the Gould family in 1941. The Goulds later renamed it the Wild Turkey distillery due to the wild turkeys spotted on the premises

In 2009, Italian spirits company Gruppo Campari acquired Wild Turkey. They invested over $100 million into upgrading and expanding the facilities. Under Campari’s ownership, Wild Turkey continued to produce popular bourbons like Wild Turkey 101, Rare Breed, and Russell’s Reserve.

Over the decades, master distillers like Jimmy Russell have crafted the distinctive Wild Turkey flavor profile. While other bourbons use corn sweetness to temper the burn, Wild Turkey leans into spicy rye and robust oak flavors. An extra filtration step helps accentuate its bold, smooth taste. Wild Turkey grew to become one of the top selling Kentucky straight bourbons worldwide.

Temporary Closure in 2021

In September 2021, Wild Turkey unexpectedly announced a temporary closure of their distillery. Local news sites shared that a major gas line break forced the distillery to shut down operations for safety reasons. Apparently, construction crews ruptured a gas line very close to the Wild Turkey rickhouses. The break caused significant damage and produced dangerous fumes.

As a precaution, officials evacuated residents within a half mile radius. No injuries occurred, but the distillery could not operate until gas company technicians repaired the line. Distillery employees were sent home for a few weeks until the damage was fixed.

This unforeseen shutdown was quite disruptive for Wild Turkey. September is peak bourbon production season in Kentucky. Having to halt distilling right before their busiest time certainly impacted their production volume.

Uncertainty Around Reopening Timeframe

Ever since the September closure, bourbon fans have wondered when Wild Turkey will resume distilling. Unfortunately, there has not been an official reopening announcement yet from the distillery. Some speculate that Wild Turkey decided to proceed cautiously and perform maintenance checks before restarting operations.

Others in the bourbon community suspect that the gas leak may have caused more infrastructure damage than initially thought. There are concerns that extensive repairs may be needed on aging warehouses or fermenters before full production can commence again.

With no definite reopening date, it’s unclear how long store inventories of Wild Turkey bourbon can last. Some liquor stores are already seeing certain Wild Turkey expressions go out of stock. Many enthusiasts are stocking up on a few extra bottles just in case.

What the Future Holds for Wild Turkey

Here’s hoping the Wild Turkey distillery can reopen sooner rather than later. When they restart production, expect that first batch off the stills to be highly anticipated. Bourbon fans may see those first post-closure bottles become collectors items.

Assuming no long term facility damage, Wild Turkey stands well positioned for the future. They recently invested in expanding barrel warehousing space. This prepares them to keep innovating special releases to satisfy bourbon lovers.

The iconic, spicy Wild Turkey flavor profile has staying power. Even with supply uncertainty from the temporary closure, demand from bartenders and home pourers remains strong. Thanks to their loyal drinkers and Campari’s investment, Wild Turkey should eventually reclaim their stature as a top Kentucky bourbon.

The renowned Wild Turkey distillery carries immense history and bourbon pedigree. Their temporary 2021 closure due to a gas line break surprised many. While frustrating for staff and fans, this pause was unavoidable. We wish the distillery well as they work to safely restart operations. When whiskey once again flows from their rickhouses, it will provide good reason to raise your glass and celebrate a Wild Turkey tradition that continues. Cheers to the future!