Review #138 Wild Turkey 101: Bourbon

Score: 9.0 / 10

Distillery: Wild Turkey Distillery

Type: Kentucky Straight Bourbon

I was challenged to a blind tasting many years back that really changed my perspective on this brand. Everything was blind. At first I thought, okay how about Elijah Craig store pick? Wrong. Next up, Buffalo Trace store pick? Wrong. Okay how about Heaven Hill 6 BiB or Even Williams BiB (desperate now). Wrong. I finally gave in and asked for more hits, but was still stumped. In the end my girlfriend was cracking up and she told me that I was drinking Wild Turkey 101

The point of this story is how good this stuff is for the price. If I was always on a budget, I think I could be ok just swapping back between this and the rye forever. And as a mixer.....sshuuuuuu. Automatic pick every time!

The bottle pictured is a special pick, but it's really all the same juice. It may score high, but also consider the price on this one. It's basically free compared to other whiskeys on the market these days.

Whiskey Review:

Nose: Blasted with earl grey tea immediately. Such a unique note and its so potent (found this once on Angel's Envy Cask Strength), robust fresh ground coffee, espresso and creamy caramel. There's some vanilla with a dollop of honey which almost smells like scotch to me. Near the bottom of the glass I get a light hot toddy note? Lemony, boozy, warm and inviting with more honey.

Palate: Plum, raisin and vanilla coat the palate with rich flavors which then transition into vibrant fruits featuring raspberry, green apple and finally pineapple as the flavors get more and more sour. Intermingled with fruity flavors a peppered oakey spice continues to pop up finally leaving a crave able caramel on the back end. Finally a light bubble gum and faint mint sit on the tongue to round out the drinking experience.

Finish: Some fruity flavors remain on the sides of the mouth as dry Earl Grey tea returns with a light fresh cracked black pepper. Vanilla, oak and caramel continue to hang around with an astringent dry rye note.

Score: 9.0

Scale:

S+ Sensational - The Pinnacle (9.5+)

A - AXEceptional (astounding) (9-9.5)

B - bravo (step aBove average) (8-8.9)

C - competent (7-7.9)

D - disappointing (6-6.9)

F - flush it down the toilet (fail) (5.9 below)

Availability? Common. Almost too common. Nothing to say here except "Give em the bird."