Wild Turkey 101

[Alden]

Went to the local liquor store and saw it for $20.00. Never tried it, that I can recall. Is it a pretty good one?

Seems to be popular, but then so is Jack Daniels, which I do not like.

[Alden]

Well I guess I'll pick one up and judge for myself.

[CoMobourbon]

OK, I will go ahead and wade into the very controversial, bitterly memory laden minefield of an issue that is the Wild Turkey distillery and say that WT101 pretty good. While there are cheaper and, IMHO, better alternatives for a value 100 proof whiskey (Evan Williams BIB or Fighting Cock comes to mind), WT101 at $20 is still a pretty good / fine value. Particularly if you like your bourbon with a relatively woodier and spicier profile (compared to, say, the thickly sweet profile of Fighting Cock), I say go for it. Also, unlike the two listed above and other similar bourbons, WT101 is pretty much universally available.

Now, there are lots of people on here that will probably tell you that it's no good because it's not what it once was back in the day. I for one was not drinking back in the day and have no reference point for those sorts of claims. So, regardless of what it was like in the past, it seems pretty palatable (and sometimes, if I am in the mood for some wood, actually desirable).

[callmeox]

Well I guess I'll pick one up and judge for myself.

That's the only way to learn what you prefer. At 20 bucks, there is little risk involved.

No amount of discussion by others on this forum will determine what you like or dislike. That's between you and your palate.

[ratcheer]

Old-timer here. WT101 is certainly not as good as it used to be, but it is still pretty good whiskey. I still buy it, sometimes.

Tim

[Alden]

Old-timer here. WT101 is certainly not as good as it used to be, but it is still pretty good whiskey. I still buy it, sometimes.

Tim

Well, as comobourbon already said, I have not point of reference either, as I can't recall ever drinking any.

Maybe once when I was high school or college and just trying to get drunk, as that seemed to be the singular reason to imbibe back in those days, but I would drink damn near anything to achieve a buzz back then.

[Alden]

OK, I will go ahead and wade into the very controversial, bitterly memory laden minefield of an issue that is the Wild Turkey distillery and say that WT101 pretty good. While there are cheaper and, IMHO, better alternatives for a value 100 proof whiskey (Evan Williams BIB or Fighting Cock comes to mind), WT101 at $20 is still a pretty good / fine value. Particularly if you like your bourbon with a relatively woodier and spicier profile (compared to, say, the thickly sweet profile of Fighting Cock), I say go for it. Also, unlike the two listed above and other similar bourbons, WT101 is pretty much universally available.

Now, there are lots of people on here that will probably tell you that it's no good because it's not what it once was back in the day. I for one was not drinking back in the day and have no reference point for those sorts of claims. So, regardless of what it was like in the past, it seems pretty palatable (and sometimes, if I am in the mood for some wood, actually desirable).

Would you say that is has more wood in it than Weller 12, or Makers Mark? Both of those taste quite woody to me.

[squire]

Wild Turkey 101 was a big, bold, spicy whisky 30+ years back but the expression on shelves today is a diminished version of it's former self. I could say the same of me so I'll give it a break. For the price of a fast food meal it's certainly worth a try.

[Yeti]

If you detect a lot of wood in those, you'll probably find more in WT101. It's going to be a lot spicier than those, so the wood may not be what you notice, comparatively.

My father-in-law drinks WT 90% of the time*, always on the rocks, so I've had my fair share of it, but I usually drink it on the rocks with him. When in Rome and all that. I enjoy it, but wouldn't buy it and drink neat like I usually drink whiskey.

* 90% of the time that he's drinking whiskey, not 90% of all time. Although sometimes there's little difference. :slappin:

[squire]

Hmmm, 90% of the time . . . well, I am retired. I suppose I would be limited to waking hours though I could dream.

[Alden]

If you detect a lot of wood in those, you'll probably find more in WT101. It's going to be a lot spicier than those, so the wood may not be what you notice, comparatively.

My father-in-law drinks WT 90% of the time*, always on the rocks, so I've had my fair share of it, but I usually drink it on the rocks with him. When in Rome and all that. I enjoy it, but wouldn't buy it and drink neat like I usually drink whiskey.

* 90% of the time that he's drinking whiskey, not 90% of all time. Although sometimes there's little difference. :slappin:

I believe both Makers and Weller are wheaters. Is WT101 more of a high rye one? That would make it spicier, correct?

[squire]

Correct ....................

[stiffchainey]

Just bought a bottle of the 101, and I really liked it.

[p_elliott]

I drink WT 101 the majority of the time and really like it. YMMV but I think it's the best bang for your buck out there.

[squire]

Of course Paul can't get Barton where he lives.

[p_elliott]

I always pick up some Barton BIB when in KY

[JPBoston]

I'm in the "It's good, but there are better in that price range (and below)" camp.

Nothing wrong with it, solid stuff... just a lot of competition in BT, OWA/W12, Fighting Cock, OGD BIB/114, Elijah Craig 12yr, etc in the same price range and lower, that I would take first.

[MauiSon]

It's currently $16+ ($17 w/tax) on sale here. At that price I'll stock up. It's my favorite <$20 available (main competition - Jim Beam Black @ $16 and Old Grand Dad 86 @ $15). At >$20, I just won't buy it. I use a dollar-value rating system and WT101 = $18.

[Not available: any other OGD, VOB, Weller, Old Forester. FC103, BT, Ritt100 are $24 here.]

Edited March 22, 2013 by MauiSon

[JPBoston]

It's currently $16+ ($17 w/tax) on sale here. At that price I'll stock up. It's my favorite <$20 available (main competition - Jim Beam Black @ $16 and Old Grand Dad 86 @ $15). At >$20, I just won't buy it. I use a dollar-value rating system and WT101 = $18.

[Not available: any other OGD, VOB, Weller, Old Forester. FC103, BT, Ritt100 are $24 here.]

That's rough. FC is $13.99 here. But I would still take it at $24 compared to a WT at $17.

BT is $18.99, while OGD 86 (or 80 now, I suppose) is about $9.... all while WT101 is roughly $22.

[Alden]

I just picked one up and drank some. It's really good. I like it.

It's not any better or any worse than OGD, but good to know that anyway.

It's spicy, and a bit sweeter than some, and the wood is present, but not overwhelming. I will put it on my list of the good ones.

[Flyfish]

It's currently $16+ ($17 w/tax) on sale here. At that price I'll stock up. It's my favorite <$20 available (main competition - Jim Beam Black @ $16 and Old Grand Dad 86 @ $15). At >$20, I just won't buy it. I use a dollar-value rating system and WT101 = $18.

[Not available: any other OGD, VOB, Weller, Old Forester. FC103, BT, Ritt100 are $24 here.]

[Alden]

I paid $21 for this bottle, but I know I can probably get it for a dollar or two less at another shop here in town.

It's just not worth a dollar or two to drive the extra miles.

[Grain Belt]

FWIW, I feel the WT101 is a fine and worthy bourbon. I like the spice and solid oak flavors it offers. Some Turkey on the rocks makes me a happy man. I don't know all the ins and outs of its distillery and "the old days" , but I've been pouring it for about ten years and am proud to say so.

[squire]

So here's to another 10, my Grand Dad and I salute you.

[MauiSon]

Tell us more about how that dollar-value rating system yields a price of $18 for WT. Is it a simple system we can use for any bourbon? Suggestions for how to adjust for variations in price from state to state? (In OH, if I understand you, WT is about $22 and should never be purchased.)