How we do, what we do — and where we do it — are equally important when it comes to making bourbon. Our master distillers have over a century of experience making Kentucky Straight Bourbon the right way, The Wild Turkey way.
For over 75 years, we’ve been making our whiskey at the top of Wild Turkey Hill in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky. It’s where spirited tradition and devotion to our craft come together to yield an unparalleled lineup of bourbon and rye.
Wild Turkey 101 is one of the most iconic and popular bourbons on the market. This high-rye bourbon strikes a perfect balance between bold flavor and easy drinkability, making it a go-to for both bourbon newcomers and connoisseurs alike. But just how long is Wild Turkey 101 aged to achieve its signature flavor profile? Let’s take a closer look at the maturation process behind this legendary bourbon.
An Overview of Wild Turkey 101
First introduced in 1940, Wild Turkey 101 is the flagship bourbon from the legendary Wild Turkey Distillery located in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky. It’s made using Wild Turkey’s high-rye mashbill of 75% corn, 13% rye, and 12% malted barley.
This bourbon is aged in heavily charred new American oak barrels, which imparts a significant amount of color and flavor. It comes off the still at a lower proof around 109, minimizing dilution, before being cut down to 101 proof for bottling.
The name 101 comes from its bottling proof of 101, significantly higher than the minimum 80 proof required for a spirit to be called bourbon. This higher proof helps the flavors pop and allows Wild Turkey 101 to stand up beautifully in cocktails.
Determining the Age of Wild Turkey 101
Wild Turkey 101 does not carry an age statement on its label. This is common practice in the bourbon world and allows distillers flexibility with their stocks to maintain consistency from batch to batch
So how can we determine the age of the whiskeys in this popular bourbon? Here are a few methods:
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Examine tasting notes – Experienced tasters often detect age-related flavors like oak, tobacco, leather, and baking spices in the 101 that are associated with longer aging periods of 6-8 years.
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Study interviews with distillers – Wild Turkey Master Distiller Eddie Russell has stated in several interviews that Wild Turkey 101 contains a blend of 6, 7, and 8 year old bourbons. This supports the tasting notes.
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Research branding history – Wild Turkey 101 was originally released as “Wild Turkey 6 year old 101” when it first hit shelves in 1940. It transitioned to a blended age statement in the 1970s. This gives us a good basis for the minimum age.
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Compare to other products – Wild Turkey also produces age-stated products like Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit (10 years old) that help provide an age frame of reference. The 101 seems youthful in comparison.
Why Age Statements Vary in Bourbon
For a bourbon to be labelled as “straight bourbon”, it must be aged a minimum of 2 years. However, most popular bourbons are aged 4 years or more. So why doesn’t Wild Turkey 101 have a fixed age statement like some other brands?
There are a few reasons distillers may chose to omit an age statement:
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Maintain consistency – With no fixed age, distillers can blend barrels to achieve consistent flavor profile from batch to batch. This way the product always tastes the same.
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Respond to supply changes – Distillers have more flexibility to adjust the blend if supply of older barrels becomes limited.
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Encourage trial – No fixed age may make consumers more inclined to try it rather than dismissing it as too young.
Tracing the Aging Evolution of Wild Turkey 101
While today’s Wild Turkey 101 contains a blend of 6 to 8 year old bourbons, this wasn’t always the case. Tracing the history provides insight into how the iconic bourbon has evolved over the decades:
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1940s – Launched as 6 year old bourbon in 1940 at Wild Turkey’s Lawrenceburg distillery.
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1970s – Transitioned from 6 year age statement to non-age stated blend of various ages.
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1980s – Expanded distillation capacity allowed stocks to age longer. Oldest components believed to be 8-9 years.
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Early 2000s – Period of bourbon shortage reduced ages in blend. Believed to drop back closer to minimum 6 years.
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Today – Balance of supply and demand has allowed return to more optimal 6-8 year aged blend.
As you can see, there have been some fluctuations over the years. But through it all, Wild Turkey has worked tirelessly to maintain the consistency and quality of their prized 101 bourbon.
How Aging Time Impacts Bourbon Flavor
So why does aging time matter when it comes to bourbon flavor? Here’s a quick overview:
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2-4 years – The “sprite” stage. Youthful grain flavors dominate. Hints of vanilla and spice emerge.
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4-8 years – The “teenager” stage. Oak barrel flavors intensify. Caramel, leather, and baking spice flavors develop.
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8-12+ years – The “mature adult” stage. Deep oak flavors. Tobacco and walnut flavors emerge. Dark fruits may develop.
As you can see, those extra couple years make a big difference. The 6-8 year sweet spot for Wild Turkey 101 provides the perfect balance of vibrant youthful grains and mature rich, oaky flavors.
Why Wild Turkey 101 Works So Well
So what is it specifically that makes Wild Turkey 101 such a legendary bourbon? A few key factors:
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Mashbill – The high rye mashbill adds a spicy zing that sets it apart from other bourbons.
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Higher Proof – Bottling at 101 proof provides a bold, flavorful experience.
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Aging – The 6-8 year blend hits the ideal maturity range for peak flavor.
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Char Level – The deep char on the barrels adds robust notes of caramel and vanilla.
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Value – It’s highly affordable for the quality at around $25 a bottle.
When all of these elements come together in perfect harmony, you get the one-of-a-kind bourbon that has made Wild Turkey 101 an icon for over 80 years and counting.
While Wild Turkey 101 may not carry a fixed age statement, educated estimates based on history, interviews, and tasting analysis put the blend in the 6-8 year maturity range – the prime “teenage” years for bourbon when the boldest flavors develop.
This iconic high-rye bourbon has been perfecting its signature flavor profile for over 80 years through expert blending of barrels to hit that ideal flavor sweet spot. The next time you take a sip of Wild Turkey 101, appreciate the expert aging process that went into crafting this legendary bourbon. Cheers!
OUR WILD TURKEY ESSENTIALS
Our water comes from the Kentucky River and is naturally filtered through limestone, removing iron and other impurities
We’re still using our original yeast strain – proprietary to Wild Turkey – which has informed our bourbon’s signature flavor for over 60 years.
Wild Turkey is one of the few distilleries to have never used a genetically modified grain in our bourbon.
Not everyone makes a big deal about char level – the intensity of burn inside American White Oak barrels used to age bourbon. But only a No. 4 “alligator” char, the deepest available, can produce our bourbon’s signature amber color and bold flavor. Others might be content with a No. 1, 2 or 3 char; but it’s something we can never compromise on. We use our No. 4 char across all of our bourbons and ryes, giving each one our distinctive Wild Turkey flavor.
We never pour a drop of Wild Turkey until it’s aged at least five years – often six or eight or more. Of course, we legally would only have to age it two years to call it a straight topshelf bourbon whiskey, but we’re not big fans of doing the minimum. Even our tin-clad, wooden rick houses where we store our barrels have stood the test of time; they allow maximum interaction between wood and bourbon, and they’ve been doing it since the 1890s. When we put “Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey” on our label, it’s because our bourbon earned it.
OUR BOURBON MAKING PROCESS
Bourbon takes time, and with almost a century of combined experience, our Master Distillers know that better than anyone.
It starts when the Master Distiller selects the corn, rye and malted barley for distilling. We use only the best ingredients at the Wild Turkey Distillery – nothing but our specially grown, non-GMO grains, which are quality tested at four separate times.
They say location is everything, and Wild Turkey distillery proudly sits atop a limestone shelf situation along the Kentucky River, allowing us to use quality Kentucky water straight from the source. The limestone naturally purifies the water of iron, and this non-acidic, limestone-filtered water is used to cook the grains during this stage, making for a better depth of flavor in our finished product. Once the malted barley is added, we introduce our sour mash – a previously fermented mash that still contains live yeast – to start a new fermentation process.
Yeast is added to the corn, rye and malted barley to create our yeast mash, naturally turning the starch into sugar, and giving Wild Turkey its full, rich flavor. Our yeast strain is unique to Wild Turkey, and a secret that is closely guarded by Master Distillers Jimmy and Eddie Russell.
The liquid mash is pumped into a continuous still. It’s vaporized at a high temperature, turned back into liquid, and distilled all over again, creating the highest quality spirit without sacrificing flavor.
After distillation, the spirit is poured into new American White Oak barrels with the deepest No. 4 “alligator” char. We choose to barrel our bourbon at a lower proof, so that by the time it’s finished aging we can add less water than other whiskey makers typically would in order to avoid diluting our bourbon’s signature flavor before bottling. That allows Wild Turkey to retain the true, rich flavor and deep auburn color it acquires from the barrel.
Once the barrels are filled, they’re stored for aging. Starting at two years, we taste our bourbon annually until its fully matured. We age our whiskey longer than most distilleries, giving it more of the time it needs to develop its distinctive, rich flavor.
Only the master distiller can decide when a barrel is mature enough for bottling. On their command, the bourbon is dumped, filtered and bottled, ready for you to enjoy.
For a complete start to finish Wild Turkey tasting experience, it comes down to these four qualities.
Bourbon’s color tells you a lot about its age. You’ll notice Wild Turkey has a deep auburn color because it’s aged longer in barrels with the deepest char.
Breathe in the bourbon. And then add a drop of water to release more flavor notes and breathe it in again. You’ll smell undertones of deep vanilla and oak, with traces of citrus and toffee on top. As Jimmy Russell will tell you: you can smell more flavor than you’ll ever taste.
Take a sip and breathe it in. You’ll notice that Wild Turkey 101 is rich with vanilla and caramel, with notes of toffee and light smoke.
A great bourbon lingers on the tongue. Wild Turkey is known for its long, full-bodied finish.
Wild Turkey 101 Is The Best Value Bourbon Under $30 (And Here’s Why)
FAQ
How long is turkey 101 aged?
Since its introduction in the early 1940s, Wild Turkey 101 has carried an eight-year age statement.
How long has Wild Turkey 101 aged in barrel before bottling?
This Wild Turkey has been aged for at least 6 years before coming out of the barrel at 109 proof. It is diluted slightly before bottling at 101 proof.
Is Wild Turkey 101 top shelf?
For a borderline bottom-shelf whiskey, Wild Turkey 101 is surprisingly complex and flavorful. It’s loaded with aromas of toasted vanilla beans, peppery rye, oak, and gentle spices and a palate of caramel corn, vanilla beans, cracked black pepper, cinnamon, and oak.
How aged is Wild Turkey?
TIME. We never pour a drop of Wild Turkey until it’s aged at least five years – often six or eight or more. Of course, we legally would only have to age it two years to call it a straight topshelf bourbon whiskey, but we’re not big fans of doing the minimum.
Is Wild Turkey 101 a good Bourbon?
The vanilla lingers on in the aftertaste, but otherwise the wind-down is simple, warm, and lasting. Wild Turkey 101 isn’t fancy, nor should it be. Jimmy Russell, the living legend master distiller at Austin-Nichols, is very particular about the kind of bourbon he likes and this is his standard example. What Turkey 101 is instead is just plain good.
What is the age statement for Wild Turkey 101?
Wild Turkey 101 has been around since 1940, with the 80 proof version being added in 1974. Neither the 80 nor the newer 81 proof version carry an age statement. In recent months, an 81 proof version has been introduced, which is supposedly aged a bit more than its predecessor.
What is the price of Wild Turkey 12 Year 101?
The price of Wild Turkey 12 Year 101 varies. It is priced anywhere between $60 in Japan (as reported by David Jennings) or as high as $250+ via online retailers. The specs on 2022’s Wild Turkey 12 Year 101 are as follows: the mash bill is 75% corn, 13% rye, and 12% malted barley, it carries a 12 year age statement, the proof is 101 (50.5% ABV).
Is Wild Turkey 101 the right way?
For over 60 years, Wild Turkey has been making 101 the same way, the right way. Aged in American White Oak barrels coated in the deepest alligator char, Wild Turkey 101 has an impossible-to-miss character.
What is a 12 year wild turkey?
The 12 year is many people’s favorite in the Wild Turkey lineup. It started with the “Beyond Duplication” bottles in the early 1980s, which was replaced by the “cheesy gold foil” label bottle in the mid-80s, then the split-label in the mid-90s. The export market got the Beyond Duplication and gold foil labels longer than the US market.
How is Wild Turkey 101 distilled?
Wild Turkey 101 is distilled at a low proof and is aged in American White Oak Barrels with the deepest char. It comes out of the barrel at around 109 proof then is slightly diluted down to 101 before bottling. Nose – 88/100 Rye spice, caramel, toffee Palate – 88/100 Rye spice, oak, vanilla Finish – 85/100 Bold spice and pepper (not smooth)