Wd Turkey 81 proof?

[squire]

Right Craig and unfortunately there's a lot more of them than us and the product follows the money.

[OscarV]

Scored 'em!

The WT 81's that is.

And the new label 101, so let the dusty hunting begin on the old label 101!!

[wadewood]

Scored 'em!

The WT 81's that is.

And the new label 101, so let the dusty hunting begin on the old label 101!!

[White Dog]

That would be very nice indeed.

A Wild Turkey 81 proof made with older stock.It seems to me that going after the Basil Hayden drinkers is the target.

I just don't get the why?

[OscarV]

OK, I understand buying maybe 1 bottle of the WT81, but 2???

[gburger]

I just finished the book: American Still Life: The Jim Beam Story.

At the end they discuss the four small batch bourbons that Beam makes. Then I looked up at my bar and saw all of them sitting there.

So I decided to do a quick taste test.

Knob Creek: Enjoy this quite a bit.

Basil Hayden: Wish I would have spent the money on something else. My guests seem to choose this on the look of the bottle not what is inside. Too bad for them, but I need to get rid of it somehow.

Booker's: True barrel strength non filtered, hot as hell and great tasting.

Baker's: A good pour, right down the middle for me, not great, not bad , but worth having at home.

[gburger]

I just finished the book: American Still Life: The Jim Beam Story.

At the end they discuss the four small batch bourbons that Beam makes. Then I looked up at my bar and saw all of them sitting there.

So I decided to do a quick taste test.

Knob Creek: Enjoy this quite a bit.

Basil Hayden: Wish I would have spent the money on something else. My guests seem to choose this on the look of the bottle not what is inside. Too bad for them, but I need to get rid of it.

Booker's: True barrel strength non filtered, hot as hell and great tasting.

Baker's: A good pour, right down the middle for me, not great, not bad , but worth having at home.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0471444073/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_2?pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=0764321811&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1P31ADRXGCM8YTRZDEV9' rel="external nofollow">

[OscarV]

I just finished reading the book American Still Life: The Jim Beam Story and they talked about the four small batch bourbons from Beam. Then I looked at my bar and I saw all four sitting there. So I did my own taste test of them.

Knob Creek: like it a lot.

Bail Hayden: wish I had not spent money on it, other than the nice bottle, yuk

Booker's: whoa, hot but very tasty. You already know this is truly out of the

barrel non filtered, not watered down to a lower proof. Great stuff.

Baker's: a nice pour, not great not bad just right

[wadewood]

I am a collector of all things Turkey.

One bottle is for the collection and the other one is to drink.

[OscarV]

Yes, I know the collector mentality. I would have bought 1 for collection and then just added water to my WT101 if I wanted to taste WT81 (or had a pour at a bar).

[gburger]

...and this relates to WT 81prf because,.....?

I know it looks like I got off the Turkey subject, I was repiling to White Dogs comment on looking for Basil lovers.

Sorry if I high jacked anything

[OscarV]

no need to apologize gburger, I'm all over the place most of the time

[harshest]

The official press release on WT81 from the Skyy Spirits website

http://pr.skyyspirits.com/2011/06/06/new-wild-turkey%C2%AE-81-bourbon-takes-flight/

LAWRENCEBURG, KY (June 7, 2011) – Wild Turkey® is expanding its portfolio with the addition of Wild Turkey 81 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. The first whiskey solely crafted by Associate Distiller and Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame member Eddie Russell, Wild Turkey 81 was developed with bartenders and consumers in mind, creating a truly mixable spirit that delivers Wild Turkey’s famous kick every time.

Wild Turkey 81 was born through extensive research – that is if you consider sitting in bars across America talking to bartenders and whiskey fans research. Having already collaborated with his father, famed Wild Turkey Master Distiller Jimmy Russell, on Russell’s Reserve® Bourbon and Rye, Eddie wanted to create a spirit all his own that met the needs of today’s whiskey drinker, who is looking to experience bourbon with mixers and in classic, good-time cocktails more and more.

“I discovered those folks who didn’t want the punch of Wild Turkey 101 were sorely disappointed by other whiskies that disappeared like a fox down a hole when mixed with things like cola,” said Eddie Russell. “So with Jimmy’s blessing, I developed Wild Turkey 81 – an everyday whiskey that can stand up to any mixer or in any cocktail with the bold, in-your-face taste that is distinctively Wild Turkey.”

Wild Turkey 81 uses Wild Turkey’s famous high-rye mash for a spicy kick that lasts and lasts. Hand-selected American oak barrels from the Ozark Mountains receive an “alligator char” before being filled at the distillery in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky. Wild Turkey 81 is the only bourbon in the category to use this expensive, deep char (also called a “#4 char”), resulting in extreme vanilla and caramel flavors that are hallmarks of a Wild Turkey Bourbon.

The filled barrels are placed in wood-rack warehouses that use no heaters or air conditioners, unlike others in the category. Continued Eddie, “Mother Nature’s got her hands all over this brand. We like to do things the old fashioned way around here, letting the barrels age solely based on the weather that shows up on our doorstep that day, which creates a more balanced whiskey.”

Wild Turkey 81 is a masterful blend composed primarily of six, seven and eight year old whiskies, making it the longest-aged bourbon or Tennessee whiskey in its class. The result is a whiskey with a deep, rich amber color, and a nose full of fruit, butterscotch, toffee and toasted oak. On the tongue, you discover cigar-box sweetness, caramel, vanilla and pear, with a long finish of rich spice notes and hints of toast.

“I’ve spent the last 30 years working with my son Eddie, and teaching him everything I know about making bourbon,” said Jimmy Russell, himself a 57-year whiskey veteran. “As soon as I tasted Wild Turkey 81, it was clear he was paying attention. I am one proud Dad.”

Wild Turkey 81 shows up to the party wearing brand-spankin’-new duds, in the form of the first package change to the Wild Turkey family in nearly 15 years. The classic bottle shape remains the same, but the label gets a “badass” makeover. It is cleaner and more aggressive than before, with the famous Wild Turkey symbol standing proud. The label gives a stronger nod to which Wild Turkey product you are about to enjoy – 81 or 101 – and shouts out our proud Kentucky heritage like never before. The new packaging will be featured with Wild Turkey 81, Wild Turkey Rye, and the kickass granddaddy of them all: Wild Turkey 101.

“Even a good old boy changes his shirt every now and again,” said Jimmy.

Wild Turkey 81 is priced at $19.99 (MSRP) and is available now in the US at bars, restaurants and spirits retailers nationwide. It will be supported by an extensive marketing campaign featuring print, outdoor and digital advertising, as well as a loud, badass social media campaign.

Wild Turkey 81 joins an already impressive lineup of bourbons and rye whiskies from the Wild Turkey distillery in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, including the iconic Wild Turkey 101, Rare Breed, Kentucky Spirit, Russell’s Reserve, and American Honey®. Wild Turkey is distributed in the US by Skyy Spirits.

[Josh]

Thanks for posting Doug! I don't know who wrote that press release but I'm sure Jimmy and Eddie would cringe at the use of the word blend in the 6th paragraph.

[DeanSheen]

So O what's the verdict?

[OscarV]

So O what's the verdict?

[IowaJeff]

wow, I ignored this thread because I assumed it was about some old no longer produced WT. This is interesting. They almost have to phase out the 80 proof, right? For consumers buying or ordering the 80 proof I would think it would be difficult to convey the difference b/w 80 and 81.

[cowdery]

wow, I ignored this thread because I assumed it was about some old no longer produced WT. This is interesting. They almost have to phase out the 80 proof, right? For consumers buying or ordering the 80 proof I would think it would be difficult to convey the difference b/w 80 and 81.

It'll probably depend on pricing. If they price the 80 a buck or two below the 81, they might be able to continue to sell both. They should be able to make it cheaper, since I'm told the 80 proof is 4-years and a day, while the 81 is, as the release says, 6-8 years.

[jeff]

I remember being told by someone at the distillery that the 80-proof was a mingling of 4-6-8yo bourbon, while the 101-proof was a mingling of 6-8-12yo bourbon. That was probably 7 years ago and has likely changed as supplies of aged whiskey have tightened. I remember thinking back then that the 80-proof had a decent flavor-profile, if a little on the weak side. I haven't tried it in about as long though.

[IowaJeff]

It'll probably depend on pricing. If they price the 80 a buck or two below the 81, they might be able to continue to sell both. They should be able to make it cheaper, since I'm told the 80 proof is 4-years and a day, while the 81 is, as the release says, 6-8 years.

That's true, price is the best market differentiator. If that's a word. I think this is great. I'll still buy the 101, but the 81 should be a great gateway bourbon. The 101 can be a little hot for some, and as someone stated earlier, many people are reluctant to add water. Plus, as the marketing materials said, it will be a better mixer. Since JD and other 80 proofers are the predominant mixers, I imagine that 101 is often not used in the right proportion.