Wild Turkey is considered one of Kentucky’s heavyweight bourbon producers.
It’s the whiskey that by no means offered out, dumbed down, or performed it protected. Whereas others buckled underneath market strain, Wild Turkey stored kicking down the saloon doorways with full-bodied flavour and barrel-proof swagger.
Right here’s the final word information to the opposite well-known Kentucky hen.
When was Wild Turkey based?
Wild Turkey traces its roots again to 1855, when Austin Nichols started promoting wine and spirits. A long time later, that very same firm would assist flip Wild Turkey right into a family title. However the liquid’s lineage runs even deeper.
In 1869, Irish brothers James and John Ripy based the Ripy Distillery in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky. It rapidly gained a popularity for high quality, changing into a neighborhood favourite. The bourbon was even chosen to characterize Kentucky on the 1893 World’s Honest in Chicago, beating out round 400 opponents to earn that honour.
Throughout Prohibition, that significantly odd chapter in American historical past when frequent sense was outlawed, the Ripys stored issues ticking. Because of a medicinal license, they might make bourbon for “therapeutic” use. Not dangerous for a sore throat, sensible for nationwide morale.
The place did the title Wild Turkey come from?
Till 1940, the distillery operated underneath the Ripy title. However issues modified when Austin Nichols’ government Thomas McCarthy took a few of their bourbon on a looking journey. The goal was wild turkeys. His companions have been so taken with the whiskey, they stored asking for extra of that “wild turkey” bourbon. The title caught, the legend took flight, and a brand new chapter started.
Initially, the Ripy household offered their bourbon to varied wholesalers, together with Austin Nichols. After Prohibition, Austin Nichols started bottling the whiskey underneath its personal title, and in 1942, the primary official bottling of Wild Turkey hit the cabinets. The Ripy household offered the distillery in 1949, however the spirit lived on.
For many years, Wild Turkey was a non-distiller producer, sourcing a lot of its whiskey from the identical distillery it as soon as owned. That modified in 1971 when Austin Nichols purchased the ability outright and renamed it the Wild Turkey Distillery. In 1980, the model was snapped up by Pernod Ricard.
The Russell Dynasty
Jimmy Russell, identified by some because the “Buddha of Bourbon,” joined Wild Turkey in 1954, beginning his profession by sweeping the distillery flooring at simply 18 years outdated. Beneath the mentorship of Invoice Hughes, he rose by means of the ranks to turn into Grasp Distiller.
Russell’s largest contribution to Wild Turkey was his flat-out refusal to dumb down the whiskey when lighter spirits began stealing the highlight in the course of the Seventies and 80s. He stored Wild Turkey daring, brash, and uncompromising, and in his personal phrases: “Didn’t change a rattling factor.”
His son, Eddie Russell, joined the enterprise in 1981 and took on the Grasp Distiller title in 2015. Collectively, they’ve made Wild Turkey a household affair. Grandson Bruce has additionally joined the ranks as affiliate grasp blender, as the subsequent Russell in line to maintain the fireplace burning.
In 2024, Jimmy celebrated a staggering 70 years on the distillery, and Wild Turkey marked the event with a particular limited-edition bottling.
Wild Turkey, wildfire, and Campari
In 2009, Campari Group acquired Wild Turkey from Pernod Ricard, kicking off a brand new period. A contemporary distillery opened in 2011, adopted by an on-site bottling facility in 2013, bringing manufacturing totally again to Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, the place it belongs. Campari continues to personal Wild Turkey as we speak.
It wasn’t at all times clean crusing. In 2000, catastrophe struck for the distillery when a hearth tore by means of a seven-storey warehouse, sending burning whiskey into the Kentucky River and killing 1000’s of fish. The corporate later paid $256,000 to assist restore the river’s ecosystem.
Why is Wild Turkey related to Matthew McConaughey?
In 2016, Academy Award-winner and authorized bourbon fan Matthew McConaughey joined Wild Turkey as Artistic Director. McConaughey was hands-on, writing, directing, and starring in model campaigns to carry the Wild Turkey story to a complete new viewers.
Two years later, he teamed up with Eddie Russell to launch Longbranch. This small-batch bourbon was refined with Texas mesquite and American oak charcoals to create a gathering of Southern minds, mixing Kentucky custom with Texas soul. On the finish of 2022, McConaughey’s contract expired, and the partnership was amicably drawn to an in depth, however the actor is commonly related to the model to this present day.
How Is Wild Turkey Whiskey Made?
Wild Turkey doesn’t reduce corners. It ages its spirits longer than most, distills at a decrease proof, and makes use of much less water when it’s time to bottle. Which means extra taste, extra complexity, and 0 compromise.
The distillery makes whiskey with non-GMO corn, rye, and malted barley, and sticks to 2 core mash payments: one for bourbon, one for rye. The bourbon mashbill is 75% corn, 13% rye, and 12% malted barley.
Kentucky limestone-filtered water is used to prepare dinner the grains, which is finished at a decrease temperature in comparison with many different American distilleries. It ferments utilizing a proprietary yeast pressure that’s distinctive to the distillery, and the method sometimes lasts 72 to 80 hours (3 to 4 days).
The whiskey is matured in No. 4 “alligator” char barrels, named as a result of the charred insides are virtually scaly wanting, like gator pores and skin. These are used to impart these deep, smoky caramel and vanilla notes.
Wild Turkey ages its whiskey for six to eight years on common in open-rick, unheated warehouses, dropping round one-third of its spirit to evaporation (generally known as the Angel’s Share). Solely the Grasp Distillers, Jimmy and Eddie Russell, determine when a barrel is prepared for bottling.
The result’s a consistency that leaves simply sufficient room for every launch to have its personal swagger.
The Wild Turkey Vary
Wild Turkey 101
The flagship. Aged at the very least six years, bottled at 101 proof (50.5% ABV), and brimming with caramel, vanilla, and toasted oak. If you would like the complete Wild Turkey expertise, begin right here.
Wild Turkey 81 Proof
A extra approachable possibility created by Eddie Russell. Identical DNA, decrease power (40.5% ABV), nonetheless full of flavour due to the high-rye mash invoice and closely charred barrels.
Wild Turkey Uncommon Breed
Cask power, no dilution, all angle. Anticipate daring spice, vanilla, citrus, and sufficient punch to get up your palate. Bottled at 116.8 proof (58.4% ABV) and never for the faint-hearted.
Wild Turkey Straight Rye
An amazing intro to rye whiskey. Spicy, candy, and extremely versatile, that is sensible in a Manhattan or just over ice.
Wild Turkey American Honey
Bourbon blended with honey liqueur for a clean, candy sip. Nice over ice or in cocktails while you need a contact of sweetness with out dropping that bourbon spine.
What Does Wild Turkey Whiskey Style Like?
Throughout the vary, Wild Turkey is understood for its huge, daring taste. Even the lower-proof expressions carry a weight and depth that places flimsier whiskies to disgrace.
Anticipate wealthy notes of toffee, spice, charred oak, honey, and vanilla, with a palate that delivers sweetness and warmth in equal measure. It’s advanced however by no means treasured; that is whiskey that is aware of methods to have a very good time.
Here’s a full tasting word of the basic Wild Turkey 101 from Grasp of Malt.
Look: Deep golden amber color.
Nostril: The nostril is kind of subdued, but there stays a lovely toffeed sweetness. Notes of toasty oak and melted vanilla ice cream, a contact of zesty citrus and butterscotch.
Palate: The palate is full and wealthy with notes of cigar field sweetness, pepper, caramel, and honey on granary toast with a bit of melted butter.
End: The end is lengthy and wealthy with spice and toast notes.
What Units Wild Turkey Aside from Different Whiskeys?
What units Wild Turkey aside? Old style stubbornness. Whereas different manufacturers have chased developments and softened their kinds, Wild Turkey has stayed true to its roots.
Which means full-flavored whiskey, made correctly, by individuals who’ve spent many years mastering their craft. With three generations of Russells on the helm, this can be a distillery that’s not simply making bourbon, it’s defending it.
