Feb 27, 2023

Wild Turkey Rare Breed Rye | Barrel Proof Rye Whiskey Review

Distillery: Wild Turkey

Proof: 112.2 (Nice!)

Mash bill: 52% Rye, 36% Corn, 12% malted Barley

Age: Blend of 4, 6, and 8 year old Straight Rye Whiskey

MSRP: $60

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Fool Proof Rating and Summary of Tasting Notes

Color: Dark Honey

Nose: Rye Spice, Fresh baked bread, butterscotch, charred oak, orange zest

Palate: Toffee, rye spice, oak, orange peel, a hint of earthiness

Finish: Long finish, baking spices, and oak

Feel: Nice mouth coating, warm and oily

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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 Rare Beed Rye

Wild Turkey's Rare Breed releases have turned out to be some of the tastiest they've put out with countless fans and awards to prove it: several Double Gold Medals at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, Gold Medals at the International Wine & Spirits Competition, and numerous others. The rye whiskey is bottled at 112.2 proof and brings a rye recipe, for the first time, to the Wild Turkey Family of barrel-proof releases. Non-chill filtered and uncut, this Wild Turkey expression is bold, complex, and unrestrained.

Nose

Wild Turkey Rare Breed Rye Whiskey has a unique and complex nose, with Rye Spice being the dominant note. Underneath this spicy aroma lies subtle notes of butterscotch and freshly baked bread. Oak and orange zest emerge in the background for a pleasant balance. Very interesting nose.

Palate

On the palate Rare Breed Rye has a nice blend of toffee, rye grain spice, oak, and orange peel. A subtle earthiness in the background adds another layer of complexity to this whiskey. All of these flavors come together nicely, creating an enjoyable and well-rounded flavor.

Finish

The finish on this non-chill-filtered rye is long and full of baking spices and oak. The rye spice stands out the most and lingers on the tongue for quite some time. A subtle sweetness also appears in the background, adding a pleasant balance to this unique whiskey. There is a hint of orange peel at the very end. The finish is very nice and lingers for some time. Very enjoyable finish.

Feel

Wild Turkey Rare Breed Rye Whiskey has a nice warm mouth feel with an oily and creamy texture. The flavors are well-balanced and complex. The whiskey has a nice warmth to it that lingers on the palate, which lends to a nice feel.

Final Thoughts

Overall, I find Wild Turkey Rare Breed Rye to be a complex and flavorful whiskey that has something for everyone to enjoy. Its nose offers notes of rye spice and butterscotch, while the palate features oak, orange zest, earthiness, and toffee. The finish lingers with baking spices and hints of orange peel. This whiskey definitely has a unique flavor profile. I really enjoy the warm mouth feel and its oily texture. I'm glad that this is bottled at barrel proof, which makes the flavors shine. Wild Turkey did a great job with this rye whiskey. Just like the Rare Breed Bourbon, this is quickly becoming a favorite.

For the price, Rare Breed Rye is a great whiskey to have in your collection. I'd recommend it to anyone looking for a good balance of flavor and complexity. Plus, the bottle looks great! I think it's worth picking up and giving it a try.

You can sometimes find Rare Breed Rye on the shelf, but it is becoming harder to find. If you want one delivered to your home, you can buy it here.

Check out my review of Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit.