Wild Turkey Bourbon New Equipment

Volume: 0.7 litres | Alcohol content: 40.5% | Chill filtration: Yes | Colouring: No

Special Features:

Wild Turkey Bourbon combines at least five years of maturation with heavily charred American white oak. Eddie Russell originally developed this Kentucky Straight Bourbon as Wild Turkey 81. The whiskey matures in new barrels with Char #4, known as Alligator Char, and is bottled at 40.5%. This highest level of charring is one of Wild Turkey’s defining production choices.

Despite the pronounced barrel treatment, the style remains approachable. Pear and delicate spice join the sweetness of vanilla and caramel, while hints of honey and orange complement the flavour. Gentle oak and dried fruit shape the lingering finish. The bourbon contains no colouring and can be enjoyed neat or as the base for classic bourbon cocktails. It can also be served over ice.

Tasting Notes:

• Nose: Pronounced vanilla leads on the nose, accompanied by caramel and oak.
• Palate: Vanilla and caramel stand out strongly on the palate. Honey and orange add delicate accents.
• Finish: The finish lingers with gentle oak and notes of dried fruit.

Distillery/Bottler:

Wild Turkey is made on Wild Turkey Hill in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky. Jimmy and Eddie Russell shaped the house style over decades: Jimmy joined the distillery in 1954, his son Eddie followed in 1981 and became Master Distiller in 2015. Eddie also developed the 81-proof version. The brand has belonged to Campari Group since its acquisition in 2009, while production remains rooted in Kentucky.

The distillery uses corn, rye and malted barley, along with its own yeast strain. After distillation in a continuous column still, the spirit is distilled again. The barrels are stored in wooden warehouses clad in sheet metal. Once the bourbon has matured for two years, it is tasted annually; the Master Distiller decides when it is ready for bottling.

Facts: