Everything You Need to Know About Wild Turkey Bourbon

Wild Turkey is one of the most iconic bourbon brands in the world. In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into Wild Turkey bourbon – its history, production process flavours and more.

A Brief History of Wild Turkey

Wild Turkey has a long and storied history dating back to the late 1800s. Here’s a quick timeline:

• 1891: The Old Hickory Distillery is built in Tyrone, Kentucky by Thomas Ripy.

• Prohibition: The distillery is forced to shut down.

• Post-Prohibition The Ripy family rebuilds the distillery and begins producing bourbon again. They sell bourbon to wholesalers who bottle it under their own brands including Austin Nichols.

• 1940s: An Austin Nichols executive takes some warehouse samples on a wild turkey hunt. The bourbon is so popular among his friends, they dub it “that wild turkey bourbon”. Austin Nichols begins bottling Wild Turkey in 1942.

• 1971: Austin Nichols purchases the distillery, now known as the Boulevard Distillery, and renames it the Wild Turkey Distillery.

• 2009: Gruppo Campari acquires Wild Turkey from Pernod Ricard.

• Present: Wild Turkey continues to be made at the distillery in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky. Jimmy and Eddie Russell serve as the Master Distillers.

How Wild Turkey Bourbon is Made

Wild Turkey has some unique production methods that contribute to its distinctive flavour profile:

• Mash Bill: Wild Turkey uses a high percentage of rye in its mash bill compared to most bourbons. This adds spiciness.

• Limestone Water: The local water is high in minerals that create a rocky, alkaline environment. This is balanced during fermentation.

• Lower Distillation Proof: The raw whiskey is distilled to around 55% ABV, much lower than the legal limit. This retains robust flavours.

• Barrel Rotation: Barrels are rotated in open rickhouses for more even maturation.

• Aged Longer: Barrels are aged until at least 1/3 of the whiskey has evaporated. This allows for incredibly smooth bourbon.

The Wild Turkey Flavour Profile

So what does Wild Turkey taste like? Here are some of the signature tasting notes:

• Vanilla – from the virgin oak barrels
• Caramel – from the charred oak barrel
• Spice – the high rye content provides a peppery kick
• Orange Peel – a citrusy note
• Honey – touch of sweetness to balance the spice

Overall, expect a robust, full-flavoured bourbon with a nice balance of sweet and spice. There’s a reason it’s been popular for over 75 years!

The Core Wild Turkey Offerings

Wild Turkey has an extensive portfolio, but here are some of their core bourbon offerings:

• Wild Turkey 101: This is their flagship bottling, bottled at 101 proof (50.5% ABV). A great all-around bourbon.

• Wild Turkey Longbranch: A lower proof (86 proof) bourbon finished in Texas mesquite barrels. Has a slightly smoky profile.

• Wild Turkey Rare Breed: This barrel-proof bourbon ranges from 112-116 proof. It’s a bolder, more intense version of Wild Turkey.

• Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit: A 101 proof single barrel bourbon that showcases individual barrels.

• Russell’s Reserve 10 Year: A limited aged bottling that offers increased depth and complexity.

Fun Facts About Wild Turkey

To wrap up, here are a few interesting tidbits about Wild Turkey bourbon:

• Wild Turkey introduced the first high-end bourbon on the market – Wild Turkey 101 – in the 1950s. This set the stage for other premium bourbons.

• Master Distiller Jimmy Russell has worked at Wild Turkey for over 60 years, making him the longest tenured Master Distiller in the world.

• Wild Turkey ages their bourbon in heavily-charred barrels, which imparts more rich caramel and vanilla flavours.

• There are over 500,000 barrels of Wild Turkey bourbon aging in rickhouses at the distillery.

• In 2000, a fire at the distillery destroyed over 17,000 barrels of whiskey. This caused massive contamination of the Kentucky River.

Is Wild Turkey a Quality Bourbon?

So is Wild Turkey a good bourbon? The answer is a resounding yes! It strikes an excellent balance between affordable, everyday drinking and premium quality. The high rye mash bill and signature production methods give Wild Turkey bourbon a bold, spicy character that’s instantly recognizable. It’s no wonder Wild Turkey has been popular for generations.

So next time you’re looking for a quality, classic Kentucky straight bourbon, definitely consider Wild Turkey. Its history, distinctive flavour, and critical acclaim speak for themselves. Cheers!