All You Need to Know About Wild Turkey Rare Breed Non Chill Filtered Bourbon

Wild Turkey Rare Breed Non Chill Filtered Bourbon has become a hot topic among whiskey enthusiasts in recent years. This special export-only version of the popular Wild Turkey Rare Breed Bourbon is creating a lot of buzz, leaving many whiskey lovers curious to learn more. In this in-depth guide, I’ll cover everything you need to know about this unique non chill filtered release.

What Is Non Chill Filtered Bourbon?

To understand Wild Turkey Rare Breed Non Chill Filtered, we first need to understand chill filtration. Most bourbons are chill filtered before bottling. This process involves cooling the bourbon close to freezing temperatures and running it through a fine filter. This removes fatty acids, proteins and esters that can make the bourbon appear cloudy or hazy when chilled. It creates a clear, aesthetically pleasing final product.

Non chill filtered bourbons skip this step. Without filtration, more compounds from the barrels remain, potentially altering the flavor. Some whiskey fans believe non chill filtration results in a fuller, more flavorful bourbon. Others feel the difference is negligible. There is ongoing debate around the impact of chill filtration.

The Rare Breed Bourbon Profile

The regular Wild Turkey Rare Breed Bourbon is a barrel proof blend of 6, 8 and 12 year old bourbons. It’s bold and intense, with sweet flavors of brown sugar, maple syrup and orange zest followed by rye spice, oak, and tobacco. The high 108-112 proof packs quite the punch.

Rare Breed has a cult following among bourbon enthusiasts who love its big, complex flavor for the reasonable $45-55 price tag. It’s widely available in the United States and consistently draws rave reviews.

The Origin Of Wild Turkey Rare Breed Non Chill Filtered

In 2021, Wild Turkey began releasing a special Non Chill Filtered version of Rare Breed for export only outside the US. It’s essentially the same liquid, just without chill filtration. This allowed whiskey fans around the world to finally try Rare Breed NCF. But to the frustration of many, Wild Turkey has not made it available in its home American market.

The reasons behind this are unclear. Wild Turkey has commented little on the release. Speculation ranges from limited supply constraints to simply differentiating the export market offerings. Hopefully we see its US launch someday. For now, Americans must look internationally or to whiskey exchanges to find it.

Hunting Down A Bottle

Unlike standard Rare Breed, this bourbon takes some effort to acquire. Here are a few tips for landing a bottle:

• Check overseas retailers – Many reputable Europe-based web shops ship worldwide. Search for “Wild Turkey Rare Breed Non Chill Filtered” and filter locations to the EU. Prices range $60-100 for a 1 L bottle.

• Use parcel forwarding – Parcel forwarding services allow you to shop foreign online stores. Provide the forwarding service’s address at checkout, and they’ll ship to the US. Useful for Japan/Asia buys.

• Watch whiskey marketplaces – Bottles pop up occasionally on platforms like Whiskey Exchange and secondary markets. Prepare to pay a premium.

• Talk to store owners – Independent liquor stores with international connections may be able to source a bottle. Doesn’t hurt to ask!

The export-only status makes Non Chill Filtered Rare Breed far more elusive than the standard version. But with effort, US whiskey fans can land this white whale bottle.

Comparing Chill Filtered vs Non Chill Filtered

So what’s the difference between regular ole’ Rare Breed and this export NCF release? Let’s break it down:

Color – Side by side, they look identical. Both are a deep amber. Non chill filtration had no impact here.

Nose – The aromas differ slightly. NCF seems a bit more rich and intense. Think more baking spices, oak, and dark fruit. The chill filtered version remains sweet and spicy but is a bit brighter with more citrus notes.

Taste – Again, NCF edges ahead in richness and depth of flavor. There’s more viscosity and oiliness with bigger oak influence. Chill filtered is a bit leaner and more spirited. Both are delicious though!

Finish – NCF leaves a slightly longer, warming finish with more dryness. The CF is medium in length with a bit more sweetness.

Overall the Non Chill Filtered version is a tad fuller in mouthfeel and flavor, while the regular Rare Breed has a touch more vivaciousness. The differences are moderate though. Blind tasting could prove challenging.

Reviewing Wild Turkey Rare Breed Non Chill Filtered

In my Wild Turkey Rare Breed Non Chill Filtered review, I gave it a strong 4 out 5 rating. Here were some of my tasting notes:

• Nose: Dark honey, cinnamon, baked apple, roasted oak, raisins, orange zest

• Palate: Rich caramel, vanilla, cinnamon, licorice, burnt oak, black pepper, dried fruit

• Finish: Long, warm, increasingly oaky with a sticky mouthfeel

It’s a big, bold, flavorful bourbon with loads of character. The extra richness from non chill filtration nudge it slightly ahead of standard Rare Breed for me. A must-try for Wild Turkey fans.

Who Should Buy Wild Turkey Rare Breed Non Chill Filtered?

This special release is perfect for:

• Wild Turkey Rare Breed lovers – Try the NCF version to experience your favorite bourbon turned up a notch

• Rare whiskey collectors – A hard-to-find, export-only whiskey appeals to enthusiasts on the hunt for special bottles

• High proof hounds – At 112.6 proof, it packs a pleasing, barrel proof punch

• Non chill filtration fans – Taste how skipping the filtering impacts a beloved bourbon

While delicious, it may not warrant the hefty price premium over standard Rare Breed for casual whiskey drinkers. But for diehard Wild Turkey fans, it’s a must-try unicorn bottle.

Tasting Notes And Recommended Cocktails

Here are some condensed tasting notes if you ever come across a bottle:

Nose: Cinnamon, baked apple, roasted oak, raisins, orange zest

Palate: Rich caramel, vanilla, cinnamon, licorice, burnt oak, black pepper

Finish: Long, warm, increasingly oaky with a sticky mouthfeel

Cocktails: Old Fashioned, Manhattan, Boulevardier, Ponies (bourbon + ginger beer)

As a cask strength bourbon, it shines best in simple stirred cocktails with bitters and sugar to balance the high proof. Avoid drowning it in juices or heavily diluted drinks.

The Takeaway On Wild Turkey Rare Breed NCF

Wild Turkey Rare Breed Non Chill Filtered Bourbon delivers an amped up version of the beloved Rare Breed flavor profile. The lack of chill filtration noticeably enriches the mouthfeel and flavor compared to the standard release.

It’s an outstanding barrel proof bourbon that currently comes with the caveat of being export only. For diehard Wild Turkey fans, it’s worth seeking out this elusive special release. I hope one day to see it readily available stateside.