Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit Review

“Classy But Expensive”

Country: USA

Brand: Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit

Type: Single Cask Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey 

Age: NAS (Said To Be around 9 Years)

ABV: 50.5 %

Sample provided by Derek from the USA. Many Thanks!

Colour: Golden Amber with a touch of Orange.

Nose: Very Sweet and Seductive with Toffee, Butterscotch, Vanilla, Brown Sugar, Maple Syrup, Papaya Cream, Banana, Cherry, Citrus Peel, Blackberry Jam, Toasted Almonds, Rye, Charred Oak, Mint, Nutmeg, Cinnamon and hints of Milk Chocolate and Bounty Bars. It's similar to the 101 Proof but it's got a bit more Depth, Oak and Spices. The Alcohol is quite strong. Still, a very pleasant Nose!

Taste: Sour-Sweet, Spicy and Creamy with Charred Oak, Corn Syrup, Rye, Caramel, Butterscotch, Brown Sugar, Cherry, Blackberry, Nuts, Pepper, Mint, Nutmeg, Cinnamon and hints of Orange-Flavoured Dark Chocolate and Leather. Light to Medium Alcohol Bite.

Finish: Quite Long. Sweet at first but Dry and slightly Sour later on with Cherry, Blackberry, Charred Oak, Resin, Corn Syrup, Caramel, Brown Sugar, Lemon Zest, Nuts, Pepper, Nutmeg, Mint and a hint of Leather.   

With a bit of Water the Nose loses a bit of its intensity. Brown Sugar, Maple Syrup, Charred Oak and Milk Chocolate start to dominate. But Palate and Finish mellow down considerably without giving up too much of the Flavours. I would advise you to add a bit of Water. It makes it easier to fully enjoy the Kentucky Spirit.

Rating: 87  

Nose: 22.5 – Taste: 21.5  – Finish: 21.5 – Overall: 21.5

Derek's Bottle and the Sample!

General Remarks: Wild Turkey is produced in Lawrenceburg Kentucky. Nowadays the Brand is owned by the Campari Group. The distillery produces the 81 Proof, the 101 Proof, the Single Barrel Kentucky Spirit at 101 Proof, Russell's Reserve 10 Years named after Master Distiller Jimmy Russell, Rare Breed a blend of 6, 8 and 12 old Wild Turkey at 108.4 Proof, a Rye Whiskey  made with 65% Rye, 23 % Corn and 12% Barley and a Honey Liqueur by the name of American Honey. The Kentucky Spirit I'm reviewing today is the Single Barrel version of the 101 Proof. It was bottled on the 8th of April 2011 and matured in Barrel # 28 from Warehouse E, Rick # 42. It is said that Master Distiller Jimmy Russell personally selects the Barrels that will be used for this expression.The Mash Bill consists of Corn (75%), Rye (13%) and Barley (12%). On average it costs around 50 US Dollars.

Drinking Experience Neat: Good

Conclusion: I like Wild Turkey Bourbons in general. Especially on the Nose. I find it difficult to stop Nosing them! The Kentucky Spirit is no exception to the rule. The combination of Fruit, Grain and Spices is hard to resist. The Bounty Bar note is very nice as well. Palate and Finish can't quite keep up with the Nose. Lots of Charred Oak, Spices and slightly Sour Cherries and Blackberries. Still good mind you but I would have liked to see a bit more Fruity Sweetness here. In summing it up, I find that the Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit is a good but not sensational Single Cask Bourbon. It's got a bit more Depth than the 101 Proof but not enough to justify the considerable price difference. Also, please bear in mind that Single Cask Spirits will vary from Cask to Cask. 

Jan van den Ende                                                           December 9, 2014