Is Wild Turkey Bourbon? Exploring This Iconic Kentucky Bourbon Brand

Wild Turkey is one of the most iconic and well-known bourbon brands in the world. But is Wild Turkey actually a true straight bourbon whiskey? Let’s take a deep dive into Wild Turkey’s history, production process, and portfolio of products to find out.

A Brief History of Wild Turkey

Wild Turkey has a long and storied history stretching back to the late 1800s. The brand’s distillery was originally founded in 1891 near Lawrenceburg, Kentucky by Thomas Ripy. After Prohibition ended, the Ripy family rebuilt the distillery and began producing bourbon again.

In the 1940s, Austin Nichols (a whiskey wholesaler) began bottling bourbon from the Ripy distillery under the Wild Turkey name. According to legend an Austin Nichols executive came up with the Wild Turkey name after enjoying some warehouse samples on a wild turkey hunting trip.

The Ripy family sold the distillery to the Gould family in 1949. In 1971, Austin Nichols purchased the distillery from the Goulds and renamed it the Wild Turkey Distillery. The brand changed hands again in 2009 when Campari Group acquired Wild Turkey from Pernod Ricard.

So despite being one of the older bourbon brands, Wild Turkey itself has only been directly involved in distillation since the 1970s But it has roots tracing back to the late 1800s Kentucky bourbon boom.

How Wild Turkey Bourbon is Produced

Wild Turkey meets all the requirements to be classified as a straight bourbon whiskey. The mashbill contains at least 51% corn, with added rye and malted barley. The whiskey is distilled to no more than 160 proof (80% ABV) and aged in new charred oak barrels.

There are a few signature production techniques that Wild Turkey employs to create their distinctive bourbon flavor profile:

• Lower distillation proof – Wild Turkey distills their whiskey to around 55% ABV before barrelling, much lower than the maximum legal limit. This preserves more flavor compounds.

• High rye mashbill – The mashbill contains around 13-15% rye giving Wild Turkey a spicy robust flavor.

• Barrel rotation – Barrels are rotated periodically in open rickhouses to ensure consistent maturation.

• Barrels enter at lower proof – Barrels are filled at a lower entry proof around 107 compared to the industry standard of 125, requiring less dilution later.

So while Wild Turkey doesn’t really deviate from the traditional bourbon production process, they do make some small tweaks that affect the final flavor.

Wild Turkey’s Core Bourbon Products

Wild Turkey has built up an extensive bourbon portfolio over the decades, but there are a few core expressions that you’re most likely to encounter:

• Wild Turkey 101 – The famous 101 proof (50.5% ABV) flagship bottling. Aged for at least 4 years with a high rye mashbill. The classic Wild Turkey flavor profile.

• Wild Turkey 81 – The lower proof (40.5% ABV) version of the classic 101. Aged for at least 4 years with the same mashbill.

• Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit – A 101 proof single barrel release where each barrel is hand selected by Eddie or Bruce Russell. Considered one of Wild Turkey’s premium offerings.

• Wild Turkey Rare Breed – A barrel proof blend that varies in age and proof each release. Typically contains 6, 8, and 12 year old bourbons blended together.

• Russell’s Reserve 10 Year – A well-aged Wild Turkey bourbon bottled at 90 proof (45% ABV). Has a loyal following among bourbon enthusiasts.

How Does Wild Turkey Stack Up to Other Bourbon Brands?

Wild Turkey has a very distinctive flavor profile in the bourbon world. The high rye mashbill gives Wild Turkey bourbons a robust, spicy character compared to sweeter wheated bourbons like Maker’s Mark.

Wild Turkey tends to be less mellow and nuanced than some premium small batch bourbons. The flavor can be described as bold, brash, and unapologetic. This makes it shine in classic bourbon cocktails.

Aficionados note that Wild Turkey has a sharper alcohol kick and deeper oak flavors due to the lower barrel entry proof. This gives even younger aged Turkeys plenty of “oompf”.

Among major bourbon distilleries, Wild Turkey stands out as one of the spicier and richer options. They don’t aim for sweet mellowness but rather full-on bourbon flavor.

Is Wild Turkey Considered a Quality Bourbon?

The bourbon world is full of diversity, so defining quality is tricky. But by any objective measure, Wild Turkey is considered an excellent quality bourbon:

• It meets all technical requirements to be a straight bourbon whiskey.

• The distillery has been crafting bourbon for over 65 years.

• It performs very well in blind taste competitions and reviews.

• The brand has received numerous awards and accolades over the decades.

• It’s the preference of many expert bourbon drinkers.

• Certain special editions like Master’s Keep fetch high prices at auction.

So while Wild Turkey may not suit every palate, there’s no doubt that it’s a well-respected distillery producing high-quality bourbon. It deserves consideration alongside premium brands.

Should You Give Wild Turkey Bourbon a Try?

If you enjoy classic, full-flavored bourbons, then Wild Turkey is absolutely worth a taste. For a relatively affordable bourbon, Wild Turkey 101 provides an excellent balance of oak, caramel, vanilla, and rye spice flavors.

Some good entry points for beginners are Wild Turkey 101 or 81, Russell’s Reserve 10 Year, or Kentucky Spirit. These all express Wild Turkey’s signature notes while remaining nicely balanced.

More experienced drinkers may appreciate Rare Breed for its amped up barrel proof kick or Master’s Keep series for extra aging and unique cask finishes.

While Wild Turkey has a particular bold flavor profile, they offer something for every palate. Don’t be scared off by the rowdy reputation – give this Kentucky icon a chance and see if you become a fan. The answers to “is Wild Turkey bourbon?” are clearly yes, yes, and yes!