My Pedestrian Tastes: Wild Turkey 101 Just Fine For Me!

[cas]

The widespread availability of WT 101 may cut down on it's snob appeal, but I'm never disappointed with a glass. It's not as complex, maybe, as some of the more expensive bourbons, but it is a consistently satisfying pour. If I recall correctly, in the late 70s, it was just about the best bourbon available.

Craig

[rockporter]

Consistent is a good word. In college in the 70's , my best bud would get WT and I would get JD - just to prove each other wrong, we didn't switched - until the eve of graduation. We both realized both were good.

He has stayed with WT as his go to while I have switched to Eagle Rare but we are always open to others.

[OscarV]

If I recall correctly, in the late 70s,

Craig

I missed out on this back then. I was a hard core beer drinker.

But recently I have tasted some old Turkeys.

One from the '80's at 86.8 proof that was extremely rich.

And a Number 8 from the early '90's that set off mini explosions in your mouth.

I have been looking for a Number 8 since and I want to try an old 80 proof, I figure 86.8 is closer to 80 than 101 so I'll bet it is good.

I came across a few old 80 proofers this summer but they had, what I cal "mud" on the bottom of the whiskey so I passed.

[Rughi]

This is a non-sequitur, but a funny thing just happened as I quickly scrolled past this thread's listing and misread it, catching only about half the words. I thought it said:

Wild Turkey 101: Fear Me!

Maybe that really is what the thread's about, though.

Roger

[Potbanger]

Great post. I feel the same way. I love the "hidden gems" in life - even if they're in plain site. Everyone can appreciate a Ferrari, but I love driving my WRX. Bad analogy, but I'm a car guy!

My bottle of WT 101 has a strong "cork" smell to it.. Is that common?

[ILLfarmboy]

WT 101 often has a noticeable "fresh wood" smell/taste. Is that what you mean?

[ACDetroit]

I love the "hidden gems" in life - even if they're in plain site. Everyone can appreciate a Ferrari, but I love driving my WRX. Bad analogy, but I'm a car guy!

What year WRX Brad? Any mods? Oh, and yes that was a terrible analogy, appreciation for a Ferrari is very different seeing as you only see one on the road in Michigan once in a great while. On my way home from PA a few weeks ago I cut through Flat Rock and ended up next to and shot a picture of the ass end a Yellow 360 Modena spyder. Not because I appreciate it but because it Hot!

On the other side of the coin I can have a WRK in 8 different colors and drive each one on a different day of the week with one left over for the same price as the 360.

Sorry to run off topic! I'm going to pour some WT 101 Old no. 8 right now.

Cheers!

Tony

[mythrenegade]

Great post. I feel the same way. I love the "hidden gems" in life - even if they're in plain site. Everyone can appreciate a Ferrari, but I love driving my WRX. Bad analogy, but I'm a car guy!

My bottle of WT 101 has a strong "cork" smell to it.. Is that common?

I love the WRX.

I was driving a friend's WRX STI Limited Edition (the epitome of stealth, no boy racer wing, no graphics, just a plain looking Subi that SCREAMS!) with another friend who owns a Porsche 911 Carrera and Dave says "yeah, these things are fast, they can keep up with me until about 135 or so"

Which was way impressive that (a) they are that fast and ( he knows that he can outrun one of these babies after 135...

Joel

[Potbanger]

WT 101 often has a noticeable "fresh wood" smell/taste. Is that what you mean?

Not sure. I just purchased a new bottle with identical labeling but it doesn't have that corky almost "musty" smell to it. I'm going to see if the bottle just needs to get some air in it. Other than that, I can go to the store I originally got the "corky" bottle from, but that was a year ago.

Wondering if my bottle had the cork taint described here. Weird thing is, I like the bottle!

I might need to get a few local experts here to offer their opinion!

[NYtaster]

I have always felt that WT101 is the best value out there. Its got a very consistant profile that really seems to be what bourbon is supposed to be... Drinkable, Flavorable and Affordable.

[F399SF]

I'm incredibly grateful Wild Turkey 101 is so ubiquitous. It's inexpensive, a good proof, and tasty. I wish like hell it was still 8 years old, but I feel good knowing most bars and liquor stores will have it. It's a quintessential man's drink and Scotch drinkers shouldn't be so snobby!

[tommyboy38]

I had a few pours of Wt101 this evening and I was very pleased. My initial motivation was to compare two different bottles of WT101 and they were nearly identical and both very enjoyable.

[Waiahi]

Hell yeah it's just fine for me...and was simply delighted to find that the Wal Mart near my house just started stocking it...for $18 a bottle!!! Yeehaw! Most places here are $22 - $25...just wish they'd start carrying WT101Rye....

[Phantos]

Shopping at Wal-Mart for fine spirits will kill yr local liquor stores that carry fine spirits that you seek.

I do not approve.

WT101 on the other hand, rules tits.

I had a fresh lil 375ml of it the other night, so spicy and nice.

a better bourbon than most, sharp and potent, rich and rewarding.

bourbon should not be easy!

(like the BT I am drinking now... although I ain't bitcin'.)

[Waiahi]

I don't buy that rationale one bit, phantos. WT is ubiquitous as far as KSBW goes...I can already find it at most any grocery store. It's not as if Wal Mart is stocking up on "specialty" Bourbons that one can only find at liquor stores.

My local Wal Mart only had WT101, EW Black, JB White and Early Times.

It's not as if I ever bought any of those from a specialty liquor store, ever. I've always bought those Bourbon's only from grocery stores, and typically only if it were on sale. Usually, at any given time, any of those bottles will be on sale at one grocery store or another.

The fact that Wal Mart carries those few, mass marketed and ubiquitous brands doesn't hurt the specialty liquor stores one bit, as I doubt most people are going to go out of their way to go to a specialty store to buy bottles that are so widely available elsewhere.

[Josh]

I have never really cared for WT 101, frankly. But I picked up a liter of WT 8 cutting through Canada. Now that's some good stuff. Tastes like WT 101 should taste.

[DeanSheen]

I have never really cared for WT 101, frankly. But I picked up a liter of WT 8 cutting through Canada. Now that's some good stuff. Tastes like WT 101 should taste.

What is the 8? I dont care for the 101 myeself but I had to ask since I'll be in Canada this summer.

[Josh]

What is the 8? I dont care for the 101 myeself but I had to ask since I'll be in Canada this summer.

It's 8 year old 101. I got mine for $20 at the Duty-free. Nice stuff.

[DeanSheen]

And it's a liter too.

THanks for the tip. I can grab some of that going in and some Red Breast going out.

tore SKU: 01013275 Best Served: ON ICE

Finish: LONG, RICH AND FULL BODIED

Proof: 101

Volume: 192 ci

Country of Origin: US

Color: ORANGE AMBER

Nose: RICH RUBY PORT WITH HINTS OF DATES

Palate: CARAMEL AND VANILLA WITH HONEY, BROWN SUGAR AND MA

The leading premium bourbon in Japan Available only in duty free and Japan domestic markets 1855 Austin Nichols opens as wholesaler of teas, coffee + spirits 1869 The Ripy family distillery is founded on Wild Turkey hill, Lawrenceburg, Kentucky 1893 Bourbon.