Is Wild Turkey Good Bourbon? A Detailed Look at This Iconic Whiskey Brand

Wild Turkey is one of the most iconic and well-known bourbon brands in the world. But is their whiskey actually good quality? In this in-depth article, we’ll take a close look at Wild Turkey’s history, flavor profile, accolades, and value to help determine if it’s a good bourbon worth drinking.

A Brief History of Wild Turkey

Wild Turkey has a long and storied history stretching back to the late 1800s The brand originated at the Austin Nichols distillery in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky In 1940, the company introduced Wild Turkey 101 bourbon, which became their flagship product.

In 1971, legendary master distiller Jimmy Russell joined Wild Turkey. Along with his son Eddie Russell who later joined him Jimmy helped grow Wild Turkey into one of the top-selling bourbon brands in the world. Wild Turkey went through a couple changes in ownership from Austin Nichols to Pernod Ricard and then to Gruppo Campari. But throughout it all the Russell family has remained at the helm producing bourbon in Lawrenceburg.

The Wild Turkey Flavor Profile

Wild Turkey is known for having a high rye content in their mashbill, around 13% compared to most bourbons which have 8-10% rye. This gives their bourbons a spicier and more robust flavor profile. Their bourbons also utilize a lower barrel entry proof than many distilleries, entering the barrel at around 115 proof compared to the industry standard of 125 proof. This retains more flavor from the grains.

Tasting notes for Wild Turkey 101 highlight sweet vanilla, oak, and brown sugar flavors along with rye spice and orange citrus notes. It’s a very flavorful bourbon but maintains balance rather than being overpowering. Independent reviews consistently note Wild Turkey’s signature flavor profile – an oaky, spicy, and rich bourbon with a touch of sweetness.

Accolades and Awards

Wild Turkey has earned numerous accolades and awards over the decades that speak to its quality and reputation:

  • Wild Turkey 101 earned a double gold medal at the San Francisco Spirits Competition in 2022.

  • Wild Turkey Master’s Keep 17 Year was named Whisky Advocate’s Whisky of the Year for 2021.

  • Famed whiskey writer Jim Murray named Wild Turkey Revival the second-best whiskey in the world in his 2022 Whisky Bible.

  • Wild Turkey Longbranch, Matthew McConaughey’s collaboration, was named Best Celebrity Whisky of 2019 by VinePair.

It’s clear that both budget-friendly Wild Turkey 101 as well as their premium and special releases are held in very high regard.

Great Value for the Price Point

Considering the awards, accolades, history, and quality, Wild Turkey offers tremendous value, especially their entry-level Wild Turkey 101 bourbon. It offers rich, flavorful whiskey at an affordable price point usually under $25. This makes it a great daily drinker or mixer that outperforms many bourbons costing twice as much.

The brand’s premium offerings like Russell’s Reserve and Master’s Keep range from $40-$150. While not cheap, they offer excellent whiskey that punches above their weight class compared to equivalently priced competitor’s offerings.

Taking a holistic look at Wild Turkey’s history, distilling practices, flavor profile, awards, and value makes a very strong case that it’s one of the best bourbon brands overall, and widely respected by aficionados. The consistency and quality instilled by the Russell family has built tremendous trust with consumers. While personal taste dictates if Wild Turkey’s signature spicy and robust profile matches your preferences, there’s no denying this iconic American whiskey brand produces some very good juice. For both sippers and mixers, Wild Turkey is absolutely a good bourbon worth having on your bar.

Frequency of entities:
Wild Turkey: 21
bourbon: 11
rye: 3
Jimmy Russell: 2
Eddie Russell: 2
Lawrenceburg: 2
101: 5

is wild turkey good

Wild Turkey 101 Bourbon

is wild turkey good

Wild Turkey 101 Bourbon Details

Distillery: Wild Turkey

Type & Region: Bourbon, Kentucky, USA

Alcohol: 50.5%

Composition: 75% Corn, 13% Rye, 12% Malted Barley

Aged: ~6 years in virgin white oak barrels

Price: $3 (50mL), $20-25 (750ml)

From the Wild Turkey website:

“For more than 60 years, legendary Master Distiller Jimmy Russell has been crafting Wild Turkey 101 the right way. With a high rye content, this iconic bourbon is perfectly aged in American White Oak barrels with the deepest char for more character.”

Is Wild Turkey Bourbon WORTH The MONEY?

FAQ

Is wild turkey whiskey top shelf?

OUR PRODUCTS. Our family of topshelf whiskies from our family of master distillers.

How good is wild turkey to eat?

Wild turkey breast meat is darker than domestic breast meat and has a lot more intense flavor, in part because of the lack of injected brine. Wings are bigger because of the birds’ powerful flight abilities and the unique taste is simply better than a store-bought bird.

Is wild turkey as good as store bought turkey?

According to Exotic Meats USA, “Wild turkey are smaller and have darker meat, richer, more intense flavor, and firmer texture than domestic turkey. “The breast, being smaller, tends to cook faster than legs or thighs. Wild turkey must not be overcooked because it would become too dry.

Is wild turkey a true bourbon?

Wild Turkey® 101 is a true American classic crafted by Master Distiller Jimmy Russell in the heart of Kentucky. For over 60 years, we’ve made this 101-proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon one way – the right way, aging it longer in charred oak barrels.

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