In early May, I had the pleasure of savouring the Wild Turkey Rare Breed bourbon. This experience left me craving more of this exceptional bourbon. Determined to restock my collection, I embarked on a spirited quest, only to be met with a challenge. The bourbon landscape in South Africa had dwindled over the past year, resulting in a somewhat limited selection.
Fortunately, my search yielded the Wild Turkey 101 Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey . I eagerly seized the opportunity to add it to my collection. Wild Turkey is a Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey crafted and bottled by the renowned Wild Turkey Distilling Co., nestled on Wild Turkey Hill near Lawrenceburg, Kentucky.
The origins of this distillery trace back to the Ripy brothers, who established the original distillery. Their bourbon found its way into the hands of various wholesalers who, in turn, bottled it under their own labels. One of these wholesalers were Austin Nichols.
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According to a captivating tale, the “Wild Turkey” brand was born during a wild turkey hunting expedition in 1940, when an Austin Nichols executive named Thomas McCarthy sampled warehouse treasures with friends.
The whiskey was so beloved that they couldn’t resist asking for “that wild turkey bourbon.” In 1942, Austin Nichols officially began bottling Wild Turkey.
In 1949, the Ripys sold their distillery to Robert and Alvin Gould. A significant turning point occurred in 1971 when Austin Nichols purchased the distillery, then called Boulevard Distillery, from the Goulds and bestowed the name Wild Turkey Distillery upon it.
In 1980, Pernod Richard acquired the distillery and Wild Turkey brand. As time went on, Wild Turkey became part of the Campari Group.
Wild Turkey 101 Bourbon Whiskey Review
The “101” denotes its robust 101 proof, equivalent to 50.5% alcohol by volume. This bourbon is a blend comprising 6, 7, and 8 yo bourbons that emerge from the barrel at a potent 109 proof. Only a slight dilution is applied before bottling, preserving its bold character.
COUNTRY: USA
ABV: 50.5%
COLOUR: Rich amber. It’s quite an oily bourbon.
NOSE: Rich and sweet, with layers of dark fruits. Hints of candied plums and ripe cherries, with maple syrup and caramel, form a delightful backdrop, offering a glimpse of the spiciness yet to unfold. Cinnamon whispers around, intermingling with the comforting embrace of vanilla. It’s an enticing beginning.
PALATE: The Wild Turkey 101 coats your palate with a chewy richness. Up to this point, John and I shared similar impressions. However, our tasting notes diverged from here. John perceived an outstanding balance of sweetness and spice, together with oak.
He described it as an intricate tapestry of spice layered over caramel toffee, with cherries adding depth. In contrast, I encountered a pepper spice bomb, overwhelming any lingering sweet notes. A touch of water does help, mellowing the pepper and taming some of the spice.
FINISH: John described the finish as a great body that builds to a smooth, spicy end. For me, it was a bold interplay of cinnamon and pepper vying for dominance.
RATING: VERY GOOD
Typically, our tasting notes and assessments align closely, but on this bourbon, our perspectives diverged significantly. John relished the Wild Turkey 101 bourbon whiskey, whereas I found it challenging to finish my glass. It’s a testament to the enigmatic nature of whiskey, capable of evoking diverse reactions.
This unpredictability is precisely what makes our whisky journey so thrilling; sometimes, we agree to disagree. This Kentucky bourbon secured an impressive 91 points in Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible. In our deliberations, we settled on a rating of “Very Good” for the Wild Turkey 101 bourbon whiskey.
It’s a bourbon that shines if you have an affinity for robust spices. While it may not be my preference, John managed to single-handedly make a dent in the bottle, attesting to its undeniable appeal for spicy, bold bourbon fans.
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