What is Wild Turkey Liquor? A Guide to the Iconic American Bourbon

Wild Turkey is one of the most iconic and beloved bourbon brands in the world. Known for its high-rye mash bills and bold full-bodied flavor profile Wild Turkey has been crafting exceptional Kentucky straight bourbons for over 60 years.

In this comprehensive guide we’ll cover everything you need to know about Wild Turkey bourbon including its history, distillation process, flavor profile, bestselling expressions, and more. Whether you’re new to bourbon or a seasoned whiskey enthusiast, read on to learn all about this legendary American whiskey brand.

A Brief History of Wild Turkey

The Wild Turkey saga begins in 1940 when Thomas McCarthy opened the Old Anderson Distillery just outside of Lawrenceburg Kentucky. In 1952 the facility was renamed the Wild Turkey Distillery and began focusing solely on bourbon production.

The true architect behind the brand’s success was Master Distiller Jimmy Russell. Russell joined Wild Turkey in 1954 and pioneered the distillery’s signature high-rye mash bill. This mashbill uses around 13% rye, resulting in a spicier, more robust whiskey compared to many bourbons on the market.

Russell created Wild Turkey 101 in 1974, which remains the distillery’s flagship bottling today. Aged for at least 6 years, this powerful 101 proof whiskey reflects Russell’s bold whiskey-making style. Now the longest tenured Master Distiller in Kentucky bourbon history, Russell continues overseeing production along with his son Eddie Russell.

Wild Turkey is currently owned by the Campari Group, an Italian beverage company, but the Russells and many other longtime employees continue the hands-on, traditional production methods that have defined the brand for decades. The iconic Wild Turkey flavor lives on.

How Wild Turkey Bourbon is Made

Wild Turkey bourbons begin with a high-rye mashbill of around 75% corn, 13% rye, and 12% malted barley. This distinctive recipe provides Wild Turkey with its trademark spicy, full-bodied flavor.

After fermentation with a proprietary yeast strain, the distillate enters the stills. Wild Turkey uses a lower distillation proof than most bourbon brands, coming off the still at just 115 proof compared to 125-130 proof at many distilleries. This allows more flavor compounds to carry over to the finished whiskey.

The newly distilled spirit then goes into heavily charred oak barrels for aging. Wild Turkey uses a Level 4 “alligator” char that imparts significant oakiness and vanilla notes. By law, bourbons must be aged at least 2 years, but most Wild Turkey expressions are aged 4-8 years or even longer.

Unlike some distilleries that blend aged whiskeys to achieve consistency, Wild Turkey uses a “single barrel” approach whenever possible. This allows the nuances of each individual barrel to shine through.

The one exception is Wild Turkey 101, which mingles barrels to maintain the continuity of flavor that customers expect from this iconic bourbon. After aging and blending when necessary, the whiskeys are bottled at various proofs to become the Wild Turkey lineup enjoyed by bourbon fans today.

Wild Turkey’s Mash Bills and Flavor Profile

As a bourbon, Wild Turkey’s mash bill must be at least 51% corn. They exceed this minimum considerably with a mash of around 75% corn. This provides bourbon’s signature sweetness and soft texture.

The next most prominent grain is rye, making up about 13% of the mash bill. Most bourbons use around 10-15% rye, but Wild Turkey is on the higher end. Rye adds spiciness, pepperiness, and drying notes to the flavor profile.

Finally, Wild Turkey uses around 12% malted barley in their mash recipes. Malted barley assists with fermentation and adds bready, grainy flavors to balance the corn and rye.

Together, this high-rye mash bill produces Wild Turkey’s trademark bold, spicy, robust whiskey. The flavor bursts with rye spice up front, followed by sweet vanilla, oak, and caramel. It’s a bourbon with a noticeably richer mouthfeel and longer, peppery finish than many competitors.

Wild Turkey’s Core Whiskey Range

Wild Turkey offers a core range of no-age-statement bourbons and rye whiskeys as well as several limited editions and special releases. Here are some of their most popular ongoing offerings:

Wild Turkey 101

The legendary 101 proof bourbon that started it all. Aged for at least 6 years, it delivers trademark Wild Turkey flavor for an affordable price.

Wild Turkey Longbranch

A newer release finished in Texas mesquite oak barrels after aging in traditional oak. The mesquite imparts smoky, woody notes.

Wild Turkey Rare Breed

This barrel proof bourbon ranges from 112 to 116 proof. It’s a robust, powerful whiskey blended from 6 to 12 year old stocks.

Wild Turkey 101 Rye

Released in 2011, this was Wild Turkey’s first ever straight rye whiskey. Spicy and bold at 101 proof with a 95% rye mash bill.

Russell’s Reserve 10 Year

Aged for a minimum of 10 years, this is an excellent sipping bourbon with amplified oak, caramel, and vanilla notes.

Kentucky Spirit

Wild Turkey’s iconic single barrel bourbon, bottled at 100 proof from barrels aged around 8 years or more.

Sipping and Cocktail Recommendations

Wild Turkey’s high-proof bourbons really shine when sipped neat or on the rocks. The higher alcohol helps carry the bold flavors and adds an enjoyable Kentucky hug (the warming tingle bourbon gives your chest).

For cocktails, Wild Turkey makes an excellent old fashioned bourbon thanks to its full body, spice, and oakiness. The 101 proof expressions have enough punch to avoid getting drowned by other ingredients. A Wild Turkey Manhattan or Wild Turkey Sour are also perfect ways to enjoy these whiskeys in a classic cocktail.

Why Wild Turkey Stands Out in Bourbon

So what makes Wild Turkey stand apart from the countless other bourbon brands on shelves today? Here are some key reasons this remains such an iconic and influential American whiskey:

• Distinctive high-rye mash bill adds signature spiciness
• Aged longer than most base-level bourbons
• Bottled at higher proofs for bolder flavor impact
• Use of lower distillation proof allows for more robust spirit
• Heavy char on barrels adds pronounced oakiness
• Emphasis on single barrel selections when possible
• Consistent flavor profile across the board
• The legendary Master Distiller Jimmy Russell’s dedication to quality

In the sea of Kentucky bourbons, Wild Turkey has carved out a specific, recognizable identity. The liquid in the bottle proudly speaks for itself. For full-flavored, high-rye bourbon goodness, it’s hard to top the bird.

For over six decades, Wild Turkey has established itself as one of the most iconic, influential bourbon brands around. Under the guidance of the Russell family, this Kentucky distillery has built a reputation for bold, high-rye bourbons packed with rich flavor.

From the affordable Wild Turkey 101 to limited edition expressions like Master’s Keep, whiskey fans can count on Wild Turkey for quality, consistency, and value. Sip it neat, mix up a cocktail, or share a pour with friends – however you enjoy it, a glass of Wild Turkey is a quintessential American whiskey experience.