Almost an American icon, Wild Turkey 101 has been mentioned or referenced in numerous movies including Mystic River, In The Heat Of The Night and The Color Of Money. It has been said to be the favorite drink of journalist Hunter S Thompson as well as novelist David Foster Wallace. So why does the Wild Turkey brand evoke thoughts of low end poorly made Bourbon? And do these thoughts have any truth? Talking Bourbon is going to find out.
Wild Turkey 101 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey comes in a traditional looking corked bottle with a picture of a turkey to the right of the label. It sells for around $23, is available wherever hard spirits are sold and is bottled at 101 proof. 101 is a blend of 6, 7 and 8 year old Bourbons.
A note on the 101 proof, when Wild Turkey came out in 1941 Bottled in Bond was real big. A Bourbon with the label Bottled in Bond had to be exactly 100 proof, so the makers of Wild Turkey upped their product to 101 to be different. Seems it worked.
NOSE
Todd: Classic Bourbon aromas of caramel, toffee and oak. This gives way to rye, and a very slight banana smell.
Ron: A lot going on with caramel, vanilla and cinnamon upfront. This is followed by aromas of pepper and citrus. Great nose.
TASTE
Todd: Nice neat but better with a cube. Nothing jumped out as a dominant flavor, a little bit of caramel, oak, rye and toffee.
Ron: Very slight tastes on the tongue including oak, and pepper. Not a whole lot going on.
FINISH
Todd: Medium to medium-long with a nice sweet burn.
Ron: Medium-long with a little bitterness.
OVERALL
Todd: It didn’t overwhelm me with flavors but was a nice drink.
Ron: Got more on the nose than on the taste. Did not have some of the flavors that I prefer. Remembered this to be better.
Nose 4.5 out of 5
Taste 7.5 out of 10
Finish 4 out of 5
Total 16 out of 20 Barrels
Wild Turkey 101, despite the score, is a decent Bourbon. It’s at a good price point, makes a nice cocktail and is not bad on the rocks.
We both keep a bottle around for our friends who enjoy it and because there is not a lot of good Bourbons at that price point. Also makes for a decent second pour.