Let's talk Turkey: Exports vs NA

[compliance]

I'm currently working through a bottle of WT 8 year export and it's great bourbon. I've also had samples of dusty 8 and 12 year Turkeys that were excellent. I haven't had as much of the current NA Turkeys and RR bottles as I'd like, but is there a NA market equivalent? Which one is closest to the 8 year export flavor profile? It's a shame WT has earned a reputation for declining quality, but to me the exports prove they still got it when they want too.

[VAGentleman]

The tradition is the only one sold in North America that is anywhere close to the dusty 8 and 12 and export 8. Unfortunately its over $100

[qman22]

It really irritates me that Wild Turkey saves their best product for export. They should at least me them available in the gift shop, so at least it is possible for their American fan base to enjoy some.

It's the same thing with Blanton's cask strength... I want some damn it!

[ChainWhip]

Sounds like 4Roses not so long ago

[jburlowski]

It really irritates me that Wild Turkey saves their best product for export. They should at least me them available in the gift shop, so at least it is possible for their American fan base to enjoy some.

It's the same thing with Blanton's cask strength... I want some damn it!

[squire]

Do you recall when they said that.

[Andre28]

I have a bottle of the export 12 year 101, and to be honest i much prefer Russells Reserve.

[OscarV]

They should at least me them available in the gift shop, so at least it is possible for their American fan base to enjoy some.

That's a very good idea and if they did that I'd be road-tripping to KY more often.

[OscarV]

The best Turkey I ever had was the Kentucky Legend Single Barrel at barrel proof.

Came in at 111 proof, just perfect. Josh had the bottle, the depth was incredible.

Others of note was from one of the ceramic series but I forget which one, maye "Turkey Lore"? It was just 8yo 101 and you wouldn't belive how sweet it was.

About 6 or 7 years ago a friend brought back a 1 litre 8yo 101 from Denmark that too was surprisingly sweet.

[PaulO]

I havent tried any of the export stuff. Out of the WT that I could run out and buy today; I think Rare Breed is good. I haven't had any in a year or so, so I hope it hasn't changed too. The current WT 101, the lower proof versions, and RR; I pass up.

[unclebunk]

Sad but true. The best (or very nearly the best) WT I've ever had was the WT12 Gold Foil (I didn't say "cheesy" to avoid irking certain parties:grin:) and I'm down to the last quarter of the only bottle I've ever owned (or ever seen, for that matter). I'd buy it by the case if I could. Same goes for the dusty 8.

[White Dog]

Sad but true. The best (or very nearly the best) WT I've ever had was the WT12 Gold Foil (I didn't say "cheesy" to avoid irking certain parties:grin:) and I'm down to the last quarter of the only bottle I've ever owned (or ever seen, for that matter). I'd buy it by the case if I could. Same goes for the dusty 8.

I have 2 rules on this site. Don't irk the Boss, and don't irk Oscar. Anyone else....

And if you ever get up to this state again, I'll pour you a deep glass of WT12 while we spin some Son House.:cool:

[squire]

I'd have the rank the 12 yr as the best Wild Turkey expression I've had, or at least I enjoyed it the most.

[OscarV]

(I didn't say "cheesy" to avoid irking certain parties:grin:)

I have 2 rules on this site. Don't irk the Boss, and don't irk Oscar.

I gotta be more careful, I didn't realize that people actually read my posts.

[Halifax]

I worked on a WT 8 export last Fall. I found it to be a excellent bourbon. A nice battle between sweetness and spicyness, with the sweetness coming out on top. I recently had a pour of the WT 101 NAS at an airport bar. I found it to be a decent pour. Hints of vanilla, spice & caramel... However, it lacked the depth and complextity that was present in the 8 year old export. The 8 year was also just $29.95 for a liter bottle, making it an exceptional value. I hope to bunker more of the 8 year export via a friend's travels later this year. Although I enjoyed the recent pour of 101, I still have no desire to add the current NAS into the rotation. I do like the new RRSB. However, for the price, I think I would rather have 2 bottles of the 8 year export.

As far as the best Turkey that I have ever had, I would have to say that Rare Breed W-T-02-91 at 110 proof is my favorite WT expression. Followed by 2005's Tribute and WTKS September 2003 ST. I also enjoy WT 12, but I haven't opened a bottle in quit some time.

[Pieface]

Lifted from an online sellers spiel on the WT8 export. The bold highlight is mine...

Matured for eight years (considered the optimum period for bourbon) in new charred oak barrels, this is the original Wild Turkey style as made by the companies founders, the Ripy Family. The Ripy house style was selected out of 400 to represent Kentucky at the World Fair in 1893. Master Distiller, Jimmy Russell (with more than thirty years of service) now overlooks operations. His 8 y.o. uses a lower proportion of corn and more wheat to produce an exceptionally smooth taste. As many competitors distill at higher (and less expensive) proofs, they must add water to bring down the proof of their bourbons. Wild Turkey, on the other hand, comes out of the barrel at about 109° allowing our distiller to add little water and retain the true characteristics of the bourbon flavour. Wild Turkey is put into the barrel at a lower (and more expensive) proof. Jimmy Russell likens it to making a great soup; if you cook it longer at a lower temperature, you retain the best flavours.

[squire]

Guess we should just shut up and buy what we're told Morgan, they really know what's best for us.

[qman22]

That's a very good idea and if they did that I'd be road-tripping to KY more often.

[squire]

I'd like to know if they email you back.

[unclebunk]

I have 2 rules on this site. Don't irk the Boss, and don't irk Oscar. Anyone else....

And if you ever get up to this state again, I'll pour you a deep glass of WT12 while we spin some Son House.:cool:

[unclebunk]

Lifted from an online sellers spiel on the WT8 export. The bold highlight is mine...

Damn tricksy them Russell boys. Had me hoodwinked for years! WT8 export is a wheater!

I was gutted when the WT8 export became unavailable here in Oz. It is apparently not available via duty free channels here now either. Echoing another poster the 8 year has a sweetness that holds it's own against the typical Turkey spice and actually comes out on top with notes of brown sugar and caramel. The thing I miss the most about this bottling is a butteryness that you get through the mouthfeel. It's a whiskey you can chew on.

I've seen it posted here many times that the US market 8YO of yesteryear leaves the export in its dust. That Turkey once produced such a quality in their mass market flagship is both astounding and saddening in how far they have fallen with the 101 NAS.

[qman22]

I'd like to know if they email you back.

I actually did get a response. A generic one...

"Thank you for your e-mail. We appreciate the fact you took the time to send us your comments. We value your opinions and take all such views seriously. We have forwarded your e-mail to the appropriate department for review."

[Brisko]

I wonder if Jodi still works there.

[p_elliott]

Lifted from an online sellers spiel on the WT8 export. The bold highlight is mine...

Damn tricksy them Russell boys. Had me hoodwinked for years! WT8 export is a wheater!

I was gutted when the WT8 export became unavailable here in Oz. It is apparently not available via duty free channels here now either. Echoing another poster the 8 year has a sweetness that holds it's own against the typical Turkey spice and actually comes out on top with notes of brown sugar and caramel. The thing I miss the most about this bottling is a butteryness that you get through the mouthfeel. It's a whiskey you can chew on.

I've seen it posted here many times that the US market 8YO of yesteryear leaves the export in its dust. That Turkey once produced such a quality in their mass market flagship is both astounding and saddening in how far they have fallen with the 101 NAS.

WT doesn't make a wheater I'm sure you're kidding Morgan but you're going to confuse the hell out of new members.

[Rkkingsley]

Found a cache of 6 WT8 Exports for $27/litre (no, I'm not British but apparently the bottle is) in a small neighborhood store. Was in kind of a rush so I didn't have time to examine the bottle but I did snap a few pics. My bourbon funds are a little low due to a couple successful dusty hunts. So, I ask this question: Is it worth cleaning this store out? If it doesn't suit my fancy would others be interested in these bottles (trade bait, etc.)?