The Wild Turkey Rare Breed 2023: An In-Depth Look at This Iconic Barrel Proof Bourbon

Wild Turkey Rare Breed is one of the most renowned barrel proof bourbons on the market. This powerhouse whiskey has built a legendary reputation among bourbon enthusiasts over the past 30+ years. In 2023 Wild Turkey refreshed the Rare Breed label design while keeping the iconic flavor profile intact. This led some whiskey reviewers to speculate if changes had been made to the liquid itself.

In this expansive article we’ll take an in-depth look at Wild Turkey Rare Breed 2023 to see how it stacks up to previous batches. We’ll explore the history behind Rare Breed do a side-by-side tasting comparison, and examine why this whiskey remains a top-tier barrel proof bourbon. Let’s dive in!

A Brief History of Wild Turkey Rare Breed

Wild Turkey first launched Rare Breed in 1991 at a barrel proof of 109. It was dubbed the original “small batch” barrel proof bourbon, as it blended whiskies of different ages from different warehouse locations.

The Rare Breed recipe called for blending 6 year old bourbon from the top floors, 8 year old from the middle floors, and 12 year old from the bottom floors of Wild Turkey’s warehouses. This combination of ages and high proof aimed to create an intense, complex sipping bourbon.

Over the years, Rare Breed’s proof climbed to 112.8 and eventually reached the current 116.8 proof it’s bottled at today. This powerful, undiluted whiskey has won numerous awards and become a bourbon icon.

Now, let’s see how the 2023 release I picked up compares to previous batches.

Wild Turkey Rare Breed 2023 vs 2022 – A Side-By-Side Tasting

To determine if Rare Breed has declined in quality in recent bottlings, I did a careful side-by-side tasting of a new 2023 bottle versus a 2022 bottle. Here are my in-depth tasting notes:

Appearance:

• 2023 Release – Deep copper, reddish amber hue

• 2022 Release – Nearly identical, maybe just a shade lighter

Aroma:

• 2023 Release – Robust vanilla, oak char, dark fruit, baking spice

• 2022 Release – Again very similar with a bit more pronounced citrus note

Flavor:

• 2023 Release – Bursting with brown sugar, caramel apples, orange zest, cinnamon

• 2022 Release – Rich toffee and toasted oak lead with black pepper spice

Finish:

• 2023 Release – Long, warm finish with sugary sweetness slowly fading

• 2022 Release – Slightly shorter but still lingering finish, more drying oak influence

Overall, the two releases taste extremely close to one another. The 2023 may exhibit a bit more sweetness while the 2022 has a touch more oak dryness, but we’re talking nuanced differences. Nothing that significantly jumps out.

This leads me to confidently conclude that the quality and flavor profile of Rare Breed remains consistent in recent batches. The 2023 release upholds the iconic intense, fruity, spicy notes that makes Rare Breed stand out.

Why Wild Turkey Rare Breed Stands Out

Beyond my own tasting analysis, there are a few key reasons why Rare Breed continues to stand out among the increasingly crowded barrel proof bourbon space:

1. Time-Tested Recipe

The 6/8/12 year age blend recipe has been used for over 30 years. Wild Turkey knows not to mess with success. Customers expect a consistent flavor profile.

2. Value

At around $60, it’s very competitively priced for the quality. Many comparable barrel proof options cost $80+.

3. Award-Winning

Recent accolades include Gold at the NY International Spirits Competition and 93 points from the Beverage Tasting Institute.

4. Approachable Proof

While certainly high, 116.8 proof is an accessible entry point to barrel proof that won’t overwhelm. It makes for an ideal daily sipper.

Let’s expand on a few of these points…

The Signature Wild Turkey Rare Breed Blend

The blend of 6, 8, and 12 year old bourbon is integral to Rare Breed’s flavor. Here’s how each component contributes:

• 6 year – The youngest component provides a rich, sweet foundation of vanilla and caramel

• 8 year – The mid-range age adds spicy rye notes, oakiness, and fruit flavors

• 12 year – The oldest age brings deep caramel and wood tannins with mature refinement

Combined in this exact ratio after years of experimentation, you get an impeccably balanced, complex whiskey bursting with flavor at barrel proof.

Drinker-Friendly 116.8 Proof

Higher proof whiskies are increasingly popular, but many over 120 proof can be quite harsh neat. Rare Breed’s 116.8 proof hits a real sweet spot:

• High enough to be intensely flavored and deliver a flavor punch.

• Low enough to sip neat comfortably without excessive alcohol burn.

It’s the ideal intersection of boldness and approachability in a bourbon. You get all the richness of barrel proof without needing to add water.

How Rare Breed Stands Against the Competition

As barrel proof bourbons surge in popularity, Rare Breed has some stiff competition. How does it stack up to some of the leading alternatives?

Elijah Craig Barrel Proof – Similar 12 year age statement but has a huge variance in proofs between batches. Rare Breed’s consistency wins out.

Maker’s Mark Cask Strength – A great wheated bourbon but can’t match Rare Breed’s depth of flavor.

Old Grand Dad 114 – Great value but comes across as one-dimensional compared to Rare Breed.

Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 120 – Delicious but about $25 more expensive for a comparable experience.

Rare Breed goes toe to toe with all of these and remains a top recommendation for its combination of quality, consistency, and value.

Suitability as an Everyday Drinker

With whiskey enthusiasts increasingly seeking out high proofs, Rare Breed makes for an ideal daily sipper:

• No need to add water to dilute it, so convenience factor is high.

• Works great neat, on the rocks, or in cocktails like an Old Fashioned.

• The boldness never overpowers.

• At around $60, affordable enough to drink casually.

Many limit high-end barrel proofers to special occasions due to pricing or intensity. But Rare Breed’s approachability and price point means you can comfortably enjoy it whenever you please.

My Review and Recommendation

Let’s sum up my overall take on Wild Turkey Rare Breed 2023:

Rating – 9/10

Value – Excellent

Flavor – Bursting with sweet and spicy bourbon goodness

Smoothness – Goes down easy despite the high proof

Uniqueness – The signature age/proof blend

Verdict – An iconic, world-class barrel proofer that maintains its quality

Rare Breed remains a standout bourbon that no enthusiast’s shelf should be without. Wild Turkey has wisely upheld the time-honored recipe and flavor profile that has made Rare Breed so beloved.

Don’t believe the negative hype – this 2023 release demonstrates that Rare Breed is still a phenomenal whiskey. I highly recommend picking up a bottle, cracking it open, and enjoying the intense, delicious flavors of this legendary barrel proofer.

Cheers to many more years of Rare Breed!

Frequently Asked Questions

Let’s wrap up this in-depth look at Wild Turkey Rare Breed 2023 by answering some common questions:

What’s the mashbill of Rare Breed?

It uses Wild Turkey’s high-rye mashbill – 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley. This gives Rare Breed a spicy, bold flavor profile.

Where is Rare Breed distilled?

At the iconic Wild Turkey distillery in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky. It’s where all Wild Turkey products are distilled.

How does Rare Breed differ from Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel?

Russell’s Reserve is also excellent, but differs in being a single barrel expression rather than a blend. Rare Breed has the blend’s complexity.

What’s the best way to drink Rare Breed?

Neat or on a single ice cube to open it up. But it also makes killer cocktails, especially Negronis, Old Fashioneds, or Manhattans.

Should I choose Rare Breed or Knob Creek Single Barrel?

It’s a very close call between these two delicious barrel proofers. You can’t go wrong, but Rare Breed generally has a slight edge in value.

So there you have it – a comprehensive look at Wild Turkey Rare Breed 2023 and why it remains a bourbon