Best Wild Turkey Bourbon

Last Updated on: 24th April 2024, 09:26 pm

With the assistance of whiskey expert Neil Coleman and valuable customer insights, I have reviewed and ranked every Wild Turkey release and determined which are the best choices.

Written by: J Highland

Choosing the Best Wild Turkey

For New Bourbon Drinkers Who Want Something Sweet & Smooth:

• Wild Turkey 81: This easy-sipping bourbon features corn sweetness, vanilla, and caramel with a gentle touch of oak and rye spice. It’s perfect for enjoying neat, on the rocks, or in cocktails.

For Rye Whiskey Newbies Who Want a Welcoming Introduction:

• Wild Turkey Rye: This rye whiskey offers a good balance of rye spice, sweetness from honey and fruit, and a short, peppery finish. It’s approachable and enjoyable for those curious about rye.

For Fans of Sweet & Unique Flavors:

• Wild Turkey American Honey: This is a great option for those who prefer sweeter drinks. The honey flavor is prominent with hints of cinnamon and oak char, making it ideal for after-dinner sipping or those new to bourbon.

For Budget-Minded Bourbon Drinkers Who Want a Classic Flavor:

• Wild Turkey 101: This is a great value bourbon that offers a good balance of sweetness, oak spice, and a touch of leather for a complex yet approachable experience. It’s great for sipping neat, on the rocks, or in cocktails.

For Rye Enthusiasts Who Want a Bold & Spicy Rye for Sipping or Mixing:

• Wild Turkey 101 Rye: This higher-proof rye whiskey packs a rye spice punch with notes of mint, anise, and hints of fruit. It’s great for sipping neat or using in cocktails where its bold flavors can stand out.

For Bourbon Lovers Who Want a Powerful & Uncut Experience:

• Rare Breed Bourbon: This uncut and unfiltered bourbon is a powerhouse with notes of baking spice, burnt sugar, vanilla, and oak. Despite its high proof, it’s surprisingly smooth and offers a satisfying bourbon experience.

For Those Who Want a Smooth Sipping Experience with Subtle Differences (considering price):

• Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit: This hand-selected, single-barrel bourbon offers a smoother version of Wild Turkey 101 with a slightly richer aroma and a caramel and brown sugar taste profile. However, the price difference might be a deciding factor for some.

For Craft Cocktail Enthusiasts Who Want a High-Proof Rye:

• Wild Turkey 101 Rye: While the heat might be intense for neat sipping, this rye whiskey shines in cocktails where its bold flavors can hold their own.

For Fans of Smoky & Mesquite Flavors (be aware of the reception):

• Longbranch: This Wild Turkey expression ventures beyond their core profile with mesquite smoke and sweetness. While some might enjoy the unique smoky sweetness, traditional Wild Turkey lovers may find it lacks complexity.

Quick Note: Running a pub and liquor store provides me ample access to various spirits, in addition, I moonlight as a spirits distiller. I assess them using customer feedback, expert opinions and online research.

Wild Turkey Rye: Spicy Gateway to Rye Whiskey

• Nose: Rye spice, mint, oak
• Palate: Rye spice, ripe fruit, honey
• Finish: Medium, spice, bitter
• Alcohol content: 81 proof (40.5% ABV)
• How to drink: Cocktails

Wild Turkey Rye is a welcoming introduction to the world of rye. The nose brings rye bread, honey, and a hint of cinnamon. The first sip delivers a spicy kick of rye and cinnamon, followed by a wave of caramel, vanilla, and orange zest. The finish is short and peppery, characteristic of Wild Turkey, with lingering rye and oak notes.

It balances sweetness and spice with a smooth blend of vanilla and caramel. This rye whiskey is ideal for beginners, offering a satisfying yet approachable experience without overwhelming complexity, states whiskey expert Neil Coleman.

Wild Turkey 81: Sweet & Smooth Bourbon for Beginners

• Nose: Corn, vanilla, charred oak
• Palate: Oak, corn, vanilla, rye spice, caramel
• Finish: Medium-length, vanilla, spice, oak
• Alcohol content: 81 proof (40.5% ABV)
• How to drink: Cocktails

Wild Turkey 81 is a gateway bourbon, perfect for those new to the category. The nose is inviting with hints of corn, vanilla, and charred oak. The taste is smooth and sweet, dominated by corn, vanilla, and caramel, with subtle oak and a touch of rye spice. The finish is short and gentle, offering a hint of warmth and lingering sweetness.

While not complex, it’s an easy-sipping experience, especially when enjoyed with ice in cocktails, where it tames the heat and oak char bitter notes.

Longbranch: Sweet Smoke and Mesquite Wood Flavors

• Nose: Caramel, mesquite, nutmeg, cinnamon
• Palate: Caramel, rye spice, mesquite, vanilla, old leather
• Finish: Maple syrup, mesquite
• Alcohol content: 86 proof (43% ABV)
• How to drink: Rocks

Longbranch ventures beyond Wild Turkey’s core profile. The nose is inviting with caramel, mesquite smoke, nutmeg, and cinnamon. The taste feels light-bodied, featuring caramel and rye spice upfront, followed by mesquite, vanilla, and a touch of old leather. The finish lingers with maple syrup and mesquite.

While this bourbon leans sweeter than classic Wild Turkey, it lacks richness and complexity. The mesquite influence is prominent, creating a very sweet profile. Fans of sweeter bourbons or those drawn by the Matthew McConaughey connection might enjoy it, but traditional Wild Turkey lovers may find it falls short.

Wild Turkey American Honey: Sweet Treat for Bourbon Newbies

• Nose: Citrus, cinnamon, honey
• Palate: Cinnamon, honey, oak char
• Finish: Cinnamon, vanilla, oak char
• Alcohol content: 71 proof (35.5% ABV)
• How to drink: Rocks

Wild Turkey Honey takes a sweet detour from classic bourbon. The aroma is a blast of orange with hints of cinnamon and honey. The taste is like a boozy dessert – cinnamon and honey mingle with Wild Turkey’s signature oak char. The finish is short and gentle, with lingering cinnamon, vanilla, and oak.

This unique bourbon is perfect for those who prefer sweet drinks or a dessert alternative. It’s like having a boozy, cinnamon-infused honey treat in a glass, ideal for after-dinner sipping or those new to bourbon.

Wild Turkey 101 Rye: Spicy & Minty Rye for Craft Cocktails

• Nose: Mint, herbal, ethanol
• Palate: Rye spice, anise, mint, cherry
• Finish: Medium, rye spice, ripe fruit
• Alcohol content: 101 proof (50.5% ABV)
• How to drink: Neat

Wild Turkey 101 Rye isn’t for the faint of heart. It throws a curveball with a sweet, minty aroma accented by charred oak and spice. The rye spice takes center stage on the palate, joined by mint, anise, leather, oak, and surprising caramel notes for depth. A slightly creamy texture adds to the silky mouthfeel. The finish is moderately long, balancing sweetness with a subtle sour note.

While the heat might be intense for neat sipping, this high-proof rye whiskey truly shines in cocktails, where its bold flavors can hold their own.

Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit: Smooth Sipper, Subtle Difference

• Nose: Vanilla, berries, rye spice
• Palate: Caramel, brown sugar, baking spice, mint
• Finish: Medium, oak
• Alcohol content: 101 proof (50.5% ABV)
• How to drink: Rocks

Consider Kentucky Spirit as a smoother version of Wild Turkey 101, hand-selected by the Russell family.

This 8-9 year aged, single-barrel bourbon offers a richer aroma of vanilla with hints of berry and rye spice. The taste leans towards caramel and brown sugar, accented by baking spice and mint. The finish is a bit short but warming with oak notes.

While smoother, the price difference might not be significant for everyone considering the similarities to Wild Turkey 101.

Wild Turkey 101: Bourbon’s Sweet Spot

• Nose: Caramel, oak, vanilla, citrus
• Palate: Baking spice, caramel, oak char, mint
• Finish: Long, baking spice, oak char
• Alcohol content: 101 proof (50.5% ABV)
• How to drink: Rocks, Cocktails

Wild Turkey 101 hits the bourbon sweet spot. The nose promises honey, caramel, vanilla, and a touch of smoky oak. The taste is a buttery embrace of vanilla, brown sugar, baking spices, hazelnuts, and a hint of mint. The finish lingers with warmth, oak char, and a touch of aged leather.

This bourbon nicely balances sweetness, oak spice, and subtle leather for a complex yet approachable experience. While it packs a punch, an ice cube can tame the heat. The price tag makes it a top choice for both sipping and cocktails.

Rare Breed Rye: Bold & Balanced Rye for Sipping or Mixing

• Nose: Vanilla, butterscotch, citrus
• Palate: Fruity, rye-spice, cinnamon, black pepper
• Finish: Long, chocolate, rye spice, oak char
• Alcohol content: 112 proof (56% ABV)
• How to drink: Rocks, Cocktails

Rare Breed Rye isn’t your average rye. The nose is a surprising mix of vanilla and butterscotch with a whisper of rye spice. Don’t let the high proof scare you – the initial heat gives way to a wave of sweet fruits, rye spice, cinnamon, and a touch of black pepper. The finish is long and warming, lingering with dark chocolate, rye spice, and oak char.

Despite the boldness, the creamy texture and moderate warmth make it enjoyable neat, especially with an ice ball. This rye whiskey truly shines for its versatility – its balanced flavors and textures make it ideal for both sipping and crafting memorable cocktails.

Rare Breed Bourbon: Uncut Powerhouse for Whiskey Lovers

• Nose: Vanilla, caramel, oak
• Palate: Baking spice, burnt sugar, vanilla, oak, old leather
• Finish: Vanilla, old leather, oak char
• Alcohol content: 116 proof (58% ABV)
• How to drink: Rocks, Cocktails

Rare Breed Bourbon breaks the mold. This uncut and unfiltered expression lets you experience its full, bold flavor without needing water.

The nose is a delightful mix of honey sweetness, cinnamon, and a touch of charred oak, with minimal alcohol presence. The taste is luxuriously creamy, offering butterscotch, brown sugar, vanilla, and oak. The finish lingers with a satisfying blend of vanilla, old leather, and Wild Turkey’s signature char.

Despite its high 116 proof, it goes down surprisingly smooth, balancing creamy sweetness with oak spice. This makes it a top contender in its class for value, offering a powerful and satisfying bourbon experience.

Buying Guide

Prices are approximate and stated in USD:

Whiskey	Price	Rating
American Honey	$18	60
Rye	$21	64
Straight Bourbon	$21	70
Rye 101	$23	70
Wild Turkey 101	$23	75
Longbranch	$30	75
Kentucky Spirit	$58	77
Rye Rare Breed	$47	82
Rare Breed	$56	83

Frequently Asked Questions: Exploring Wild Turkey Bourbon

How was the Top Bottle Selected?

• Expert Reviews: Analysis based on the insights of seasoned Bourbon critics.
• Taste Testing: Personal tasting experiences with Wild Turkey’s range.
• Consumer Feedback: Gathering insights from bourbon enthusiasts and aficionados.

Wild Turkey Bourbon: A Unique Choice

• Non-GMO Grains: Stands out for using only non-genetically modified grains in its production.
• Alligator Char: Employs a distinctive barrel charring technique, contributing to its unique flavor.

About Wild Turkey Distillery

• Established: The brand’s roots trace back to 1891, deeply entrenched in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky.
• Origin of Name: The “Wild Turkey” name was inspired during a bourbon-sharing moment on a turkey hunting trip.
• Ownership: Currently owned by the Campari Group, ensuring the brand’s continued legacy and quality.
• Sub-Brands: Includes Russell’s Reserve, offering a diverse range of bourbons under the Wild Turkey umbrella.

Wild Turkey’s Distinctive Features

• Historical Significance: A brand with a storied past and deep-rooted tradition in bourbon making.
• Flavor Profile: Known for a robust and rich taste, partly due to its unique production methods.
• Global Recognition: Acclaimed worldwide for maintaining a high standard in bourbon production.