Review #68 Wild Turkey Rare Breed Rye: Rye

Score: 8.5 / 10

Distillery: Wild Turkey

Type: Barrel Proof Rye

Drinking at Coyote Ugly in Denver before a show last year, I ordered Wild Turkey 101 straight. The drink selections there were crap, or as we call it an AWS bar. (Abysmal Whiskey Selection). The bar tender said, "Are you sure? I've never seen anyone order that before" Well needless to say i felt dumb and prepared myself for a terrible drink. However, it really wasn't bad. Plus you guys know I have tried a ton of whiskey from the best whiskey brands to the worst.

Later, I was bamboozled in a blind taste test and was unable to guess Wild Turkey 101. I had a myriad of wrong guesses before my girlfriend finally revealed that I was drinking Wild Turkey 101. After that day I swore to explore the line so you can bet I snagged the Rare Breed Rye as soon it.

Fast forward to today. I'm saying it here for the record. Wild Turkey Rare Breed is very good for it's price point. It made a way to my shelf as a repeater and table whiskey. As does the Rye. You don't want to pass up on these. Just don't say too much or they may be harder to find later.

This rye clocks in at 112.2 proof (56.1% alc/vol) and it was served neat in a Glencairn glass.

Whiskey Review:

Nose: The finish is a mix of mildly tannic and juicy. Low heat simmers with wheat, grain and a nice oaky char. Followed by an oxymoron - sweet rye spice? Wheat, caramel and toasted wood are very inviting on the nose.

Palate: Orange rind touches the taste buds first. The mouthfeel is very oily and coating. The first half of the drinking experience is juicy with notes of melon, vanilla, lemon and citrus. On the back-end rye spice ramps up with brown sugar and cinnamon.

Finish: Medium. The finish is a mix of mildly tannic and juicy. Low heat simmers with wheat grains and a nice pleasant oaky char.  

Score: 8.5

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)

Notes: Availability? Common - Uncommon. The normal Rare Breed is becoming pretty easy to find. However, I don't see the Rye together with it on the shelf very often. Except for in the picture below, but that's my personal shelf at home. It doesn't count!