Who Makes Wild Turkey Bourbon? A Look at the Distillery Behind This Iconic Bourbon Brand

Wild Turkey is one of the most iconic and beloved bourbon brands in the world. Known for its high-rye mash bill and bold full-flavored bourbons, Wild Turkey has been crafted at the same Kentucky distillery for over 60 years. But who is behind this legendary American whiskey?

A Brief History of Wild Turkey Bourbon

The origins of Wild Turkey date back to 1869, when the Ripy brothers opened the Old Hickory Distillery near Lawrenceburg, Kentucky. After Prohibition ended, the Ripys rebuilt the distillery and resumed bourbon production.

In the 1940s, a wholesale liquor company called Austin Nichols purchased bourbon from the Ripys and bottled it under their own brands. According to legend, an Austin Nichols executive took some bourbon on a wild turkey hunting trip in 1940. The bourbon was so popular among his friends that they continued asking him for “that wild turkey bourbon.” Austin Nichols began bottling Wild Turkey in 1942.

The Ripys sold the distillery to the Gould family in 1949. For the next few decades, Austin Nichols purchased bourbon on the open market and bottled it under the Wild Turkey label. In 1971, Austin Nichols purchased the distillery, now known as the Boulevard Distillery, and renamed it the Wild Turkey Distillery.

The Wild Turkey Distillery Today

Today, the Wild Turkey Distillery is located just outside Lawrenceburg, Kentucky near the banks of the Kentucky River. It’s an iconic destination on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail

In 2009, Italian spirits company Gruppo Campari acquired Wild Turkey and its distillery from Pernod Ricard. Campari continues to produce Wild Turkey bourbon at the Lawrenceburg distillery using the original recipes and techniques.

The historic distillery has undergone expansions and upgrades over the years. A new distillery opened on the grounds in 2011, while renovations in 2013 brought bourbon production back to the original distillery buildings.

Wild Turkey master distillers Jimmy and Eddie Russell continue to oversee whiskey production, as they have for decades. Jimmy Russell is the longest tenured, active master distiller in Kentucky with over 60 years of experience. His son Eddie Russell joined Wild Turkey in 1981 and became a master distiller himself in 2015.

Inside the Wild Turkey Distillery

The Wild Turkey Distillery provides an immersive look into the bourbon-making process on its visitor tours. Guests can walk through the distillery grounds and barrel warehouses, learning how Wild Turkey’s high-rye mash bill and lower barrel entry proof influence the flavor.

The distillery’s fermenters bubble away, while the 5-story continuous still relentlessly turns bourbon into whiskey. Rows of newly-charred oak barrels slowly age and transform raw distillate into smooth, rich bourbon. Historic rackhouses dot the hillsides, aging bourbon for up to 12 years.

Visitors might even encounter Jimmy Russell himself, who often leads tours when he’s not busy blending the next release of Russell’s Reserve or Rare Breed. There’s no substitute for learning about Wild Turkey straight from a master distiller with decades of hands-on experience.

The Campari Effect

While Wild Turkey remains an American bourbon through and through, its Italian ownership under Campari has brought continued investments in the brand’s growth and infrastructure.

Under Campari, Wild Turkey has introduced several new premium and high-end bourbons and ryes, including Russell’s Reserve, Kentucky Spirit, Rare Breed Rye, and the Master’s Keep series. Limited editions like Wild Turkey Master’s Keep Revival showcase Campari’s blending and finishing capabilities.

The company’s marketing campaigns have helped expose Wild Turkey to new audiences globally. Recent efforts like the “Give ’em the Bird” advertising have helped modernize Wild Turkey’s brand image while staying true to its roots.

Wild Turkey’s Legacy

For over 75 years, Wild Turkey has been crafted by a core group of distillers at one legendary distillery. Despite changes in ownership, the brand’s adherence to tradition and quality has never wavered.

Jimmy and Eddie Russell’s continued tenure is a remarkable feat in the whiskey world. Their living link back to Wild Turkey’s early days ensures consistency and craftsmanship from one generation to the next.

While many bourbon brands source whiskey from multiple suppliers today, Wild Turkey is proud to distill, age, and bottle all its bourbon on-site. The distillery in Lawrenceburg is intrinsically tied to the whiskey’s character and flavor.

Wild Turkey may be owned by an international spirits company now, but its heart remains firmly rooted in Kentucky and American bourbon heritage. For bourbon lovers around the world, taking a tour and tasting this handcrafted whiskey straight from the source is an unforgettable experience.