What is Wild Turkey Bourbon? A Detailed Look at This Iconic American Whiskey

Wild Turkey is one of the most well-known and iconic bourbon brands in the United States With a history stretching back over 60 years, Wild Turkey has built a reputation for quality, consistency, and value But what exactly is Wild Turkey bourbon, and what makes it stand out?

A Brief History of Wild Turkey

The Wild Turkey Distillery was founded in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky in 1869 under the name Ripy Brothers Distillery. It was originally one of many small distilleries dotting the Kentucky landscape in the years after the Civil War.

In 1940, the Ripy family sold the distillery to the Gould Brothers. The Gould brothers hired master distiller Ernest W. Ripy, a descendant of the original Ripy brothers, to oversee operations. Ripy experimented with the “wild turkey” yeast strain, which gave the bourbon a distinctive, bold flavor. This bourbon was so popular with hunters who frequented the distillery that the Gould Brothers eventually renamed it Wild Turkey in the 1950s.

The real turning point came in 1967 when Jimmy Russell was hired as Wild Turkey’s master distiller. Russell introduced new distilling practices that helped define Wild Turkey’s signature flavor profile. He also focused on consistency, believing a whiskey should taste the same from batch to batch. Under Russell’s leadership, Wild Turkey grew into one of the top-selling bourbon brands in the United States.

In 2009, Italian alcoholic beverage company Gruppo Campari acquired the Wild Turkey Distillery. The Russell family still oversees production, with Jimmy Russell serving as master distiller and his son Eddie Russell as associate master distiller. Wild Turkey is now exported worldwide while still being crafted at the original distillery in Lawrenceburg.

How Wild Turkey Bourbon is Made

Wild Turkey is classified as a Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey. This means it must meet several legal requirements:

• Made in the United States (Wild Turkey is distilled and aged in Kentucky)
• Contain a grain mixture of at least 51% corn (Wild Turkey uses a high corn content of around 75%)
• Be aged in new, charred oak containers for at least 2 years (Wild Turkey barrels are aged 4-8 years on average)
• Be distilled to no more than 160 proof and bottled at 80 proof or more
• Not contain any additives except water to reduce proof

Additionally, Wild Turkey abides by several traditional practices:

• Uses a sour mash process where some previously fermented mash is mixed in with new mash before fermentation. This helps consistency.
• Employs the “wild turkey” yeast strain, which imparts signature flavors.
• Distills using a low-proof method, resulting in a smoother, more flavorful whiskey.
• Ages barrels in rickhouses with exposure to all four seasons, contributing to complexity as the whiskey interacts with the wood.

Master distillers Jimmy and Eddie Russell carefully oversee each step of the process, nosing samples from different barrels to determine ideal age and blend. It is this hands-on approach to quality control that makes Wild Turkey’s flavor so reliable from bottle to bottle.

Notable Wild Turkey Expressions

Wild Turkey offers a range of bourbons and ryes:

• Wild Turkey 101 – The flagship bourbon, bottled at 101 proof (50.5% ABV) Aged 6-8 years. Bold and spicy with sweet vanilla and oak notes Excellent value for a high-quality whiskey.

• Wild Turkey Bourbon – The standard 80 proof (40% ABV) expression. Aged 4-6 years. A little softer and more balanced than 101.

• Rare Breed – Barrel proof blend bottled at 112.8 proof. Won “Best Bourbon” at the 2021 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Big, complex flavors that evolve in the glass.

• Kentucky Spirit – Single barrel bourbon bottled at 101 proof. Ages around 9 years in the barrel. Limited annual release showcasing individual barrel character.

• Russell’s Reserve – Aged around 10 years and bottled at 110 proof. Named for the Russell family. Creamy and rich with baked fruit notes.

• Master’s Keep – Special limited releases finished in various cask types like sherry and rum. The pinnacle of Wild Turkey innovation.

No matter which expression, Wild Turkey strikes a balance between bold, rich bourbon flavor and smooth, easy drinking. It brings both quality and consistency to its price range. For bourbon lovers, Wild Turkey remains a reliable name.

Why Wild Turkey Stands Out

There are several key reasons why Wild Turkey is considered an excellent bourbon, especially for its price:

• Bold, signature flavor – The “wild turkey” yeast and distilling process yield lots of rich, spicy, vanilla-forward flavor that stands out in a mixed drink or on the rocks.

• Consistency – Jimmy Russell has honed the process to minimize batch variation. You can expect reliable flavors every time you crack a Wild Turkey bottle.

• Value – While there are limited high-end releases, Wild Turkey’s core lineup provides excellent quality at an affordable price point, making it popular for mixing and shooting.

• Honoring tradition – The Russells adhere to time-honored Kentucky bourbon making techniques. They don’t cut corners or chase fads, rather focusing on perfecting traditional methods.

• Aged longer than average – Most bourbon sits between 4-6 years, but Wild Turkey typically ages over 6 years up to 10+ for special releases. The extra aging adds depth and complexity.

• Family owned and operated – Wild Turkey is still overseen by the Russell family, giving it a small-batch, hands-on feel. Their commitment to quality has spanned over 60 years.

Next time you’re browsing bourbon, consider picking up a bottle of Wild Turkey. With its characteristic vanilla-forward flavors, smooth drinkability, and reasonable price, it’s easy to see why this distillery is so respected among Kentucky bourbon lovers. The storied history and family-ownership add to Wild Turkey’s appeal as an quintessentially American whiskey.