Wild Turkey compare/contrast

[mjomalle]

I am sure this is something I could find with enough reading, but I am sure someone would love to help out... What are the characteristics of the various Wild Turkey expressions? I have had more than a little 101, but am curious about some of the others. After a dry stretch, I am looking to make a big booze purchase. I am in the US, if that matters.

[spun_cookie]

Go get:

Rare Breed (new and older versions if you can)

Kentucky Spirit (the light wood tops are teh new ones, look for Dark tops or pewter)

WT Rye 101

AMerican Spirity (15 yr BIB)

Skip the 80 proof

THose will give you the best range to play with. You can probably find WTRB from 1999 pretty easily, but the 02 is the current release. The Kentucky Spirit is all over the map. Look on the neck for the date and try to get one from each year for fun. The newer they are, the younger they were going into the bottle.

They are all different and good/great in their own way.

What state are you in?

[mjomalle]

I am in MO, but travel a bit.

How about the 8yr and 12yr bottles?

[Josh]

I am in MO, but travel a bit.

How about the 8yr and 12yr bottles?

[bluesbassdad]

I am in MO, but travel a bit.

How about the 8yr and 12yr bottles?

[spun_cookie]

Keep your eyes out for the older 8 year from 1992 or older. It is hands down my favorite bourbon. The current export only 8 and 12 are OK, better than the domestic, but about equal to the early Old #8 from the mid 90s.

Buy one of every version of Turkey you find and you will not be disappointed.

[mjomalle]

The three or four examples of Wild Turkey 12 y/o I've tasted are without equal in my opinion. I especially recall a head-to-head comparison with Kentucky Spirit, after which I declared the 12 y/o the best bourbon I'd ever tasted. See here.

However, I understand from some of the more experienced folks here that the flavor of the 12 y/o has varied considerably from one bottling to the next. I also understand that it is no longer being distributed within the USA.

If you find a bottle at a price you can afford, I advise you not to pass it up.

Yours truly,

Dave Morefield

[ElasticalGomez]

I'll be picking up a bottle of RR after work today (on sale), and I'll give my thoughts on it later.

[cas]

I agree that the US releases, the cheap gold and split labels (both from the 90s?) are among my favorites. You aren't likely to find many of them but you could stumble across a few. I don't know, though, how they compare to what's available outside the US or what may be available in some duty free shops.

Craig

[cas]

I agree that the US releases, the cheap gold and split labels (both from the 90s?) are among my favorites. You aren't likely to find many of them but you could stumble across a few. I don't know, though, how they compare to what's available outside the US or what may be available in some duty free shops.

Craig

[OscarV]

Buy one of every version of Turkey you find and you will not be disappointed.

[gblick]

Don't forget about the Russell's Reserve 101 proof. If you can find it, it's usually priced around $20-$25 (at least here in Houston). It's become one of my favorite dusty finds.

[ElasticalGomez]

But I see someone from Chapel Hill (btw - go Duke...) snuck in making it less obvious what I was referencing.

Craig

lol!

Hehe. Not actually a basketball fan as I've only been here for about 3 1/2 years. Grew up in the north/midwest and northeast so it's all Packers and Red Sox for me!!!!

Alsoplustoo: Having my first pour of RR right now and I have to say it's like a compromise of EC18 and WT101 and contains none of the qualities of the aforementioned two that I don't like. This one will be making my "frequent buy" list, for sure!

[cas]

I grew up in the northeast and now live in the upper midwest, but I spent almost 14 years in Durham so this time of year I pay a little attention to college hoops.

Nothing wrong with the RR, even since they dropped the proof. Is Kentucky Spirit available in NC these days? I saw it there occaisionally but not regularly about the time I moved away. The ABC store near the intersection of 54 and 55 had a fairly good selection as I recall - for the NC ABC system, that is.

Craig

[ElasticalGomez]

Is Kentucky Spirit available in NC these days? I saw it there occaisionally but not regularly about the time I moved away. The ABC store near the intersection of 54 and 55 had a fairly good selection as I recall - for the NC ABC system, that is.

Craig

[cas]

i believe so, but cannot be sure since i haven't actively searched for it yet and my memory and imagination have done stranger things to me. are you talking about the Chapel Hill North ABC store? that's the one i frequent the most...though there is a slightly better store near Whole Foods (though more of a p.i.t.a. to get to for me) that has a few things i've not seen at the other stores.

The ABC on the service road along 15-501 is ok too. But if you're used to the NC ABC stores you'll be astounded when you go to a private store in a non-control state.

Craig