Wild Turkey 101 Review

Last Updated on: 11th June 2024, 01:03 am

Explore the complete review of Wild Turkey 101 Bourbon, where you’ll find comprehensive answers to all your inquiries about this whiskey.

Reviewed by: J Highland

Wild Turkey 101: Bold, Balanced, and Budget-Friendly Bourbon (Great for Sipping & Cocktails)

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

Here’s a breakdown of Wild Turkey 101’s strengths based on your review, making it a compelling choice for bourbon enthusiasts:

Strengths:

• Balanced Complexity: This bourbon offers a well-rounded flavor profile with a mix of charred oak, sweetness, and hints of old leather, creating a satisfying and interesting sipping experience.
• Bold Yet Easy-Drinking: Despite its complexity, Wild Turkey 101 remains approachable and enjoyable due to its smoothness.
• Pleasant Finish: The experience concludes with a satisfying and pleasant aftertaste.
• Adaptable to Ice: Enjoy it neat for the full flavor profile, or add a large ice ball for a chilled and slightly smoother drink.
• Excellent Value: Wild Turkey 101 delivers exceptional quality for its price point, making it a strong competitor against pricier bourbons.
• Versatile: This bourbon works well for both sipping and crafting bold cocktails.

Verdict:

Wild Turkey 101 is a great addition to any bourbon lover’s collection. It offers a complex yet balanced flavor profile, making it interesting to sip.

The pleasant finish and adaptability to ice make it enjoyable for various drinking preferences.

The outstanding value adds to its appeal, making it a strong competitor in its price range.

Ultimately, Wild Turkey 101 is a versatile bourbon that excels in both sipping and cocktails, states whiskey expert Neil Coleman.

• Related: Best Wild Turkey Whiskey Picks
• Learn more: Wild Turkey 101 Website

What’s unique about Wild Turkey 101?

Wild Turkey employs a unique approach by barrel-aging its whiskey at a lower entry-proof, resulting in a lower proof as it initially comes off the still.

This lower entry proof allows for enhanced flavor extraction from the mash bill, which consists of corn, rye, and malted barley.

Wild Turkey Bourbon 101 is then extracted from the barrel at 109 proof, with only a slight adjustment made to its proofing down process.

Tasting Notes

• 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
• Similar to: Knob Creek
• Price: $27

Wild Turkey 101 offers a sweet nose with notes of honey, caramel, vanilla, and charred oak.

The entry is smoother than what the proof suggests carrying flavors of vanilla, brown sugar, baking spice, hazelnuts, and a touch of mint.

The finish is long, warm, and marked by high charred oak.

FAQ

A quick FAQ to address all your doubts:

Alternatives:

• Two excellent alternatives to Wild Turkey 101 are Old Forester 100-Proof Bourbon and Knob Creek.
• These bourbons share a similar high proof and are crafted from comparable mash bills.
• All three options offer bold flavors while remaining highly enjoyable, making them among the top choices in this proof range.

How to drink it?

• Wild Turkey 101 offers versatility, allowing you to enjoy it neat with a dash of water to reveal caramel notes.
• It is also well-suited for on the rocks drinking with a large ice ball.
• Additionally, its high 101 proof brings a punchy flavor to cocktails, making it an excellent choice for mixing.

Also read: How to Drink Wild Turkey 101

What does 101 mean?

• The proof is a measurement that represents twice the alcohol (ethanol) content by volume.
• In the case of Wild Turkey 101, it is a whiskey with 50.5% alcohol, making it a 101-proof whiskey.

Mash bill:

• Wild Turkey 101 uses a mash bill consisting of 75% corn, 13% rye, and 12% barley.

Made using NON-GMOs:

• The grains used in the mash are all certified NON-GMOs, meeting the preference of consumers who value non-genetically modified ingredients.

Wild Turkey 101 Age:

• Wild Turkey 101 ages for around 5 years in heavily charred casks, which enhances its flavor profile.

Is it chill-filtered?

• Yes, Wild Turkey 101 is chill-filtered, a common practice in the industry to prevent a hazy appearance.
• Some purists argue that this process may impact the whisky’s flavors.

Is it good for beginners?

• No, Wild Turkey 101 may not be recommended for beginners.
• Those new to bourbon or liquors, in general, may find sweeter and smoother options like Maker’s Mark more approachable.

Awards & Accolades:

• Wild Turkey 101 has earned a score of 92 points from the Ultimate Spirits Challenge.
• It has also received a Gold Medal at the International Wine & Spirits Competition.

Wild Turkey 101 Price:

• United States: $27
• Canada: $42
• UK: £33
• Australia: $73

Alcohol content

• 101 proof (50.5% ABV).

How is it made?

• Wild Turkey 101 is aged in American oak casks charred with a #4 char, providing distinctive flavors.
• The whiskey is barrelled at a lower entry-proof, allowing more flavor from the grains.
• It is pulled from the barrel at 109 proof before being proofed down slightly.

Who owns Wild Turkey?

Wild Turkey is owned by Gruppo Campari, an Italian company, after its acquisition from Pernod Ricard in 2009.

How did I review Wild Turkey 101?

I run a pub and a liquor store, granting me extensive access to various spirits, in addition, I moonlight as a spirits distiller.

My evaluations include my insights and feedback from customers and patrons and whiskey expert opinions from Neil Coleman who has been for decades in the liquor business.

I also corroborate my views with online research to ensure accuracy.

Our ratings are determined primarily by four key factors: aroma, taste, finish, and value for money. While we do consider packaging, it is of lesser importance to us, as we prioritize the quality of the liquid inside over the aesthetics of the bottle.

⭐ – Poor, ⭐⭐ – Average, ⭐⭐⭐ – Good, ⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Very Good, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Excellent.

Wild Turkey 101: Specs

Type of Whisky	Bourbon
Age statement	Around 5 years
Proof	101
ABV	50.5%
Is it good?	Yes
Is it top-shelf?	No
Does it expire?	No
Sweet?	Moderately
Warm?	Just a bit
Peaty?	No
Good for beginners?	No
Good for cocktails?	Yes
Good with Coke?	No
Calories per shot	108
Gluten-free	Yes
Keto-friendly	Yes
Kosher	Yes