Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit | Single Barrel Bourbon Review
Distillery: Wild Turkey Distillery
Proof: 101 proof
Mash bill: 75% Corn, 13%Rye, 12% Malted Barley
Age: 8 years old
MSRP: $64
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Fool Proof Rating and Summary of Tasting Notes
Color: Dark Honey
Nose: Caramel, Vanilla, cinnamon, baked goods, orange peel, toasted oak
Palate: Vanilla, light caramel, black pepper, tobacco, and faint citrus notes
Finish: Medium to long finish with lots of Rye, black pepper and toasted oak
Feel: Moderate Viscosity and mouth coating.
See below for an in-depth review.
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For all my tastings I use either the Libbey Signature Kentucky Bourbon Trail Whiskey Glass or a traditional Glencairn glass. They both are great for nosing and help in discerning more subtle notes.
In-Depth Review Of Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit Single Barrel Bourbon
Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit Single Barrel is a pioneer in the world of single-barrel bourbons. This unique spirit is hand-selected from the finest barrels in the warehouse, ensuring the peak of maturity and flavor. At 101 proof, it packs a punch, but also boasts an incredible depth of character.
What sets Kentucky Spirit apart is the personalized touch - every bottle is labeled with the barrel number, date, and warehouse number, allowing spirits connoisseurs to trace the history of their liquor back to the source.
Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit is essentially honey barrels of Wild Turkey 101. What sets it apart is that it is a single-barrel variety that has been expertly aged for a minimum of 8 years, giving it a distinct flavor profile. This bourbon is not simply aged longer, but it is also hand-selected for its unique character and bottled in small batches, ensuring consistent quality. This Bourbon earned a score of 92 points at the Ultimate Spirits Challenge and earned a gold medal at the San Fransico World Spirits Competition in 2021.
Wild Turkey's commitment to using a single mash bill for all their bourbons is a testament to their dedication to consistency and quality. The mash bill, which contains 75% corn, 13% rye, and 12% malted barley, gives their bourbons a distinctive taste profile that can be enjoyed by whiskey enthusiasts all over the world.
As someone who takes pride in exploring a variety of bourbons and whiskies, I appreciate Wild Turkey's unique approach to crafting its spirits. By relying on a singular mash bill, they have created a recognizable flavor that sets their bourbons apart from the rest.
The bottle of Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit Single Barrel Bourbon I am sampling comes from warehouse G, rick number 5, barrel number 2114, and was bottled on 01-05-2023.
Nose
I find myself drawn to the complex aroma profile of this particular bottle of Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit Single Barrel Bourbon. The nose on this bottling is really inviting, starting with bold notes of rich caramel and smooth vanilla that are very enticing. As I enjoy the aroma, I detect subtle hints of cinnamon and freshly baked goods, which add a layer of complexity and depth to the experience. There is a subtle touch of toasted oak and a slight hint of orange peel that rounds out the nose perfectly. This is a unique and enjoyable nose.
Palate
The palate on this bottle of Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit is great. The first sip is a delightful combination of smooth vanilla, light caramel, and sweet honey notes. As the taste develops, the flavors shift to a bold and spicy mix of black pepper and tobacco, with just a hint of tangy citrus to balance it out. Each sip reveals new layers of complexity, providing a satisfying drinking experience.
Finish
As a lover of whiskey, I can confidently say that this bottle of Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit is one worth trying. The finish of this particular batch is one of the highlights for me, with a medium to long finish that lingers on the tongue. The rye spice is prominent, as well as the black pepper, giving it a nice kick that isn't too overpowering. However, what really stands out to me is the toasted oak flavor. It adds depth to the whiskey that is not only delicious but also satisfying.
Feel
This pour has a nice moderate viscosity to it with a nice mouth coating.
Overall
Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit Single Barrel Bourbon is a unique spirit that stands out from the rest. The single mash bill provides an unmistakable flavor profile, and the hand-selected barrels ensure consistent quality. I found it to have an inviting nose with bold notes of caramel and vanilla along with hints of cinnamon and freshly baked goods.
On the palate, this single barrel bourbon has a delightful combination of smooth vanilla, light caramel, sweet honey notes, black pepper, and tobacco flavors with just a hint of tangy citrus for balance. To round off my experience was its medium to long finish which lingered on my tongue with prominent rye spice balanced by toasted oak flavor - delicious! All in all this whiskey is definitely one worth trying if you're looking for something unique.
Keep in mind that this is a single-barrel bourbon product and flavor profiles will vary. I have sampled several bottles and they have all been very good. With Wild Turkey Kentucky spirit you can be sure that you are getting a very good bottle of bourbon and sometimes they turn out to be great like this bottle. I am giving this bottle a Fool-Proof Rating of 90%.
Check out my review of Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel here.
Check out my review of Wild Turkey Rare Breed here.
Check out my review of Russell's Reserve 10 year here.
Use my exclusive Caskers.com discount code: WHISKEYFOOL10 to receive $10 off qualifying* orders. Copy and paste to use at checkout.
*$100 or more
I would love to hear from you! Drop me a comment below and let me know what you think of this whiskey.
Below are my favorite glasses for doing tastings. The Libbey Signature Kentucky Bourbon Trail Whiskey Glass is my favorite because it has a little more heft to it and feels better in my hand than the traditional Glencairn glass does.