Wild Turkey 101
The Kentucky Straight Bourbon Wild Turkey 101 from the distillery of the same name in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky is a cornerstone of American bourbon culture. Without an age statement on the label, it is known to be bottled as a blend of 6-8 years bourbons. We take a closer look at the US classic.The mashbill is composed of 75% corn, 13% rye and 12% malted barley - which leads us to expect a sweetish, slightly spicy whiskey. Like all bourbons, Wild Turkey has to mature in new, freshly burnt-out Virgin Oak casks. 101 stands for American proof alcohol, which translates as 50.5% ABV.
The panel
Mean 79.0 · spread 2
Value for money 5/5
- Distillery
- Wild Turkey
- Type
- Straight Bourbon
- Country
- USA
- Strength
- 50.5% ABV
- Character
- delicate
Tasting
Nose
The whiskey with the turkey on the lable opens up with intense aromas of brown sugar and caramel. Behind the slightly pungent smelling alcohol we perceive vanilla, light spiciness, cola and tobacco leaves. The mind pictures a caramel pudding with brittle and a vanilla coke to go with it.
Palate
In the first moment, the whiskey opens with a neat sugar-popcorn-syrup combination, closely followed by a massively spicy, very powerful kick. The oak and rye are clearly evident here. A liquorice and herb note floats along - somehow the composition reminds us of liquorice sticks with caramel.
Finish
The finish is surprisingly short, tingles and is furry dry on the back of the tongue.
Verdicts
Marcel
Wild Turkey 101 is simply fun – whether neat or in a cocktail, this robust bourbon always brings good cheer to the glass with its sweet and spicy notes. For anyone looking for an uncomplicated yet characterful whiskey, it’s the perfect choice.
Sascha
A technically well-structured bourbon with a clear balance between sweetness, spice, and oak, which holds its own even in mixed drinks thanks to its 50.5% ABV. Wild Turkey 101 impresses as a versatile classic with distinctive aromatics, though the finish could linger a bit longer.
What it is worth
We do not yet hold bottle-level auction results — that sits behind Whisky Hunter’s authenticated feed. What follows is the market for Wild Turkey as a whole, which sets the weather for this bottling without pricing it.
Latest mean bid £259 across 237 lots · 2024-08