Wild Turkey, an American brand almost everybody recognizes, or at least every Bourbon drinker. In our younger years we called this The Kicking Chicken or just The Bird. Today we are sampling one of their higher end products, Kentucky Spirit.
This is a single barrel product selected by the legendary Jimmy Russell. Being single barrel, each batch can be a little different. KS comes in a classy corked bottle with scalloped edges that is pretty easy to spot. Bottled at 101 proof, and with a little hunting online, we found that it averages 9 years in the barrel. Sells between $40 to $55 and is generally available.
NOSE
Ron: KS has a nose of caramel, toffee and tobacco. I also got a musty aroma that reminded me of an old boathouse, in a good way.
Todd: I got the caramel and the slight mustiness as well as spice, cedar, and orange.
TASTE
Ron: KS comes across as a rich, full bodied Bourbon. I tasted the caramel that I got on the nose as well as sweet toffee. And, oddly, a little taste of salt.
Todd: I did not taste the salt, got more spice and citrus. Thought it was pretty hot neat, really needs water/ice. Once the ice melted, I definitely tasted the caramel plus a little wood.
FINISH
Ron: Medium to long finish that was similar to the taste. A pretty hot finish neat.
Todd: I agree with Ron on the heat and getting mostly the same on the finish as I did on the taste. The only thing I would add would be a slight pepper finish.
OVERALL
Ron: This is a fantastic Bourbon, I need a bottle in my cabinet.
Todd: Well I have one in my cabinet, lol. I also find this a very good drink. I have to say though, Ron liked it better than me.
Nose 4.5 out of 5
Taste 9 out of 10
Finish 4 out of 5
Total Score 17.5 out of 20 Barrels
We both liked Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit a lot. The only thing holding back the score was the finish, and that is not to imply the finish was bad, just not much going on. We would recommend using ice or water to take off some of the heat as well as bringing out some additional flavors. The heat and spice lends itself well to traditional Bourbon cocktails.
We know the price is a little high, but the taste and the presentation make it good bottle for special occasions.