Downunder dinner with Wild Turkey Master Distillers

[camduncan]

Some exciting news came through to the Downunder members this week.... (email from wildturkey.com.au is copied below for accuracy)

Meet Jimmy and Eddie Russell on their 1st ever Tour Down Under and share their Wild Turkey experiences and stories.

Jimmy Russell, Wild Turkey Master Distiller, and his son, Eddie Russell, Associate Master Distiller, are hosting a series of very special dinner events while in Australia.

You’ll be able to taste the entire Wild Turkey portfolio and hear about the iconic genuine bourbon that’s been crafted in Kentucky by four generations of their family.

As well as the meet and greet, you’ll also enjoy a three-course dinner and be able to get an item signed by the legendary duo

Strictly limited seats at these dinner events

VIC – Crown Casino, River Room, Monday 16 August 2010

NSW – Bankstown Sports Club, Tuesday 17 August 2010

NSW – The Mean Fiddler, Wednesday, 18 August 2010

QLD – Treasury Casino, Thursday 19 August 2010

Tickets can be purchased online at $89 per person. You can book for two or ten people, just get your mates together for a great night with Jimmy and Eddie!

The evening includes a three-course sit down meal (alternate menu available), Wild Turkey drinks on arrival, plus the chance to taste the entire Wild Turkey portfolio.

You’ll also be presented with a Wild Turkey gift bag at the end of the evening.

So, come and meet Jimmy and Eddie, and don’t forget, if you have any Wild Turkey memorabilia bring it along so you can get both of their very special signatures! (Limited to one item per person.)

Click here to buy tickets:

http://wildturkeybourbon.com.au/tour.php

[HighTower]

ohhhhhhh yeah!

Can't wait for this. Still trying to figure out how to get a heap of booze in there to drink with the Russell's!

Still not 1 ticket sold to the Rouse Hill event, seriously, there's a reason the Brisbane event isn't at Inala....

They should scrap that event and come to Brisbane a day early and hang out with me. Tribute anyone? :grin:

Scott

[OscarV]

That's a heck of a deal for 89 bucks, AUS or US dollar.

[HighTower]

So, come and meet Jimmy and Eddie, and don’t forget, if you have any Wild Turkey memorabilia bring it along so you can get both of their very special signatures! (Limited to one item per person.)

[HighTower]

That's a heck of a deal for 89 bucks, AUS or US dollar.

[Res/st-or]

Great news guys.... I meet Jimmy at a tasting a couple of months ago. He is a great guy and a lot of fun to listen to. He signed a bottle of RRR that I purchased at the event that I will cherish. I enjoyed the stories about how he didn't want any bottlings with his name on it, and old man Booker. I'll leave it at that so you can hear the full stories yourselves.

[camduncan]

This will be one awesome event!!! It'll be even more special for me because I've shouted my Dad a ticket so he can learn all about Kentucky hospitality :cool:

[Gumbootboy]

This could be very tempting!

[Stones]

Looking forward to it fellas!!! :grin:

[Stones]

ohhhhhhh yeah!

Can't wait for this. Still trying to figure out how to get a heap of booze in there to drink with the Russell's!

Still not 1 ticket sold to the Rouse Hill event, seriously, there's a reason the Brisbane event isn't at Inala....

They should scrap that event and come to Brisbane a day early and hang out with me. Tribute anyone? :grin:

Scott

[Gumbootboy]

Who is going to sydney and what table are you on? I'm coming with my cousin and we're bringing two traditions.

Was hoping to find something older to buy on ebay in time but I think I'm out of time...

[Gumbootboy]

Confused about the tickets now. Anyone else had a look? There is a buy one get one free but it says it it is only ok for 1 attendee. Weird.

[Gumbootboy]

What you need to do is purchase a full price ticket, and 1 special ticket.

Then in the next screen, you need to enter WTBNSW into promotional code box. *This offer is only available for 1 per person.

Kind regards

The Wild Turkey Team

[camduncan]

Two sleeps until the Brisbane event kicks off..... Can't wait! :cool:

[Stones]

Two sleeps until the Brisbane event kicks off..... Can't wait! :cool:

[HighTower]

I have a good mate who was at the Crown Casino dinner last night in Melbs...

had a blast. He took 5 bottles along and had no trouble getting them all signed.

On top of tasting the range.....the WT cola/dry stubbies were free flowing all night long.

Bring on Thursday night!! :grin:

Scott

[Gumbootboy]

I have a good mate who was at the Crown Casino dinner last night in Melbs...

had a blast. He took 5 bottles along and had no trouble getting them all signed.

On top of tasting the range.....the WT cola/dry stubbies were free flowing all night long.

Bring on Thursday night!! :grin:

Scott

They weren't so free flowing in Sydney. We had about 3 waiters ask what we wanted, only offering Beer, Wine and softdrink. They caught up eventually. but only got 2 of the RTDs as they call em in the end.

The night was great though. Was staying in the same place as the function, so when we forgot the camera, I went back to get it while they served mains. By that time they had already signed our Traditions. So I figured I'd stop by the hotel bottleo, as we all often do, hoping for a good find. And boy did I get it! How not one of the other 50 people there handnt already stumbled across it I don't know. But there they were. A quartet of American Spirits sitting pretty in the glass cabinet for $130 a pop just begging to be bought and signed by the men that made them.

Great great night. Left my table pretty envious. Some others had brought along some good stuff. One of the first WT ceramic decanters and I think someone had almost one of each of the Normal WT range for them to sign.

They were great blokes.

Some things i remember them saying.

Eddie talked about how he like the 'Dark chocoate' taste in rare breed

Jimmy said there's "Only so much you can do with a turkey." when talking about they possibilty of any new turkey decanters. Eddie said it was possible in a tone that meant he doubted it.

A quote from Jimmy about his thoughts on wild turkey hunting. "Preserve wild life drink wild turkey"

Jimmy also mention when asked that aus should be getting most if te wild turkey range soon. Eddie quickly added, 'just remember Jimmy's the one saying that' not him, making it sound like he didn't think I would actually happen unfortuantly.

One thing Jimmy said, which he made sound like exclusive news. So I. Not sure if it's well known on here? Jimmy - "Eddie will be inducted into the bourbon hall of fame this september at the Kentucky bourbon festival"

Written on my iPhone on the train on the way to work. So I'll check my spelling later.

Dave

[camduncan]

Thanks for the report Dave - sounds like a great nite. Can't wait..... 1 more sleep :D:D

[HighTower]

Its Turkey Time!!

[camduncan]

Its Turkey Time!!

[OscarV]

OK Scott, Cam and the rest of you down under guys, how was it?

[HighTower]

Oscar,

It was a fantastic night. Quite funny....when we got there before they let everyone in the must have been about 100 people in the foyer with a drink, then a bunch of guys with 3 small travel bags, a backpack and 2 boxes full of bourbon. looked like we were moing in for the week!

Towards the end of the night when it was time for people to get stuff signed in the corner, one of the Campari guys came over and he said "I think we will just bring the guys over here".

Haha not a bad idea.

They came and signed a bunch of stuff at our table, and I opened a bottle of Tribute to share with them and about 15 others. I will post some photos later, I took a bunch.

I got a whole heap of bottles signed (again will post pics later) including 17yo, MDS14, Stampede, Heritage, Freedom, US Tribute, Japan Tribute, some traditions, RR 101s, American Spirits.

I also got the 2 chunks of barrel from my MDS bottles signed by the guys.

They really know how to work a room, those Russell's, and I must say it was an honor to be there. I was also stoked as Jimmy remembered me from last time we met.

I was lucky enough to get invited to a trade lunch with them on Friday at the Story Bridge Hotel.

There was only about 25 people including Jimmy, Eddie and the Campari staff so it was a lot more personal. I opened a 1994 Kentucky spirit and shared it with everyone who wanted to try it.

It was a great group of people at our table and I'm sure we will all remember it for a long time to come!

Scott

[OscarV]

Please post the pics.

Sounds like a great time was had by all and I must say that you are very generous with sharing the Tribute and Kentucky Spirit as to how costly it is to get them down there.

Last year I met Jimmy Russell at the Wild Turkey gift shop in Lawrenceburg. He was waiting for a bus to come in with a tour and he was going to host it.

The bus was late and my wife and I talked to him for over 30 minutes.

We shared notes on bottles that we both have collected, he said he regrets not getting one from the 1950's when he started at WT, I don't remember what it was.

Um, speaking if collecting, I still need a Freedom and Stampede, any your way that you might want to let go?:grin:

[camduncan]

There's not much to be said about the night that Scott hasn't already said... It was great!

As requested, some pictures:

1. The (Aussie) Wild Turkey lineup

2. Jimmy and Eddie talking on stage

3. Scott (Hightower) with Jimmy & Eddie

4. Me with Jimmy & Eddie

5. My Dad with Jimmy & Eddie

6. Tym (Stones) with Jimmy & Eddie

7. A small sample of our tables Turkey bottles waiting to be signed

8. Jimmy hard at work signing at our table

9. Eddie and myself chatting about his trip Downunder while he signs bottles

[Gumbootboy]

Great photos, so jealous of that table! Sounds like you guys had a perfect night.