Wild Turkey side by side by side by side by side by side

[Oboe Cadobro]

A fellow whiskey aficionado and I decided to take advantage of some warm weather to roast some coffee, smoke some cigars, and taste the following WT examples.

• WT101
  
• WTRR 101 pre-2005
  
• WTRR 90 current release
  
• WTKS
  
• WTRRSB
  
• WTRB
  

All of these were new bottles that were freshly opened for the occasion. We each had a pair of Riedel whiskey glasses in front of us and a tumbler of water for palate cleansing and proof cutting.

Pairing No. 1: WTRR101 vs. WTRR90

We both have, for years, been big fans of the RR101, which we were buying any time we wanted for $22 ten years ago. At the time that it was commonly available, the RR101 was great for sipping, but it also was one of our faves for Manhattans due to its flavor and proof. We were bummed when they discontinued the RR101, and when we saw Jimmy at the San Francisco Whiskey Expo in 2005 or so, we asked him why the new lower proof, to which he rolled his eyes and said "the marketing department." Needless to say, we were both disgusted at the move, and I have never bought a bottle of the new 90 proof. Today's sample was from my friend's likker lokker.

We poured both RR straight and tasted them. Not surprisingly, the older bottling was easily fuller straight out of the bottle due to the higher proof. When the 101 was cut with some water to bring both samples to the same proof, the older bottling was still richer, more complex tasting, and with a longer spicier finish. Winner: RR101 by a decent margin, especially since you have the choice of drinking at higher proof. I'm glad I have a few bottles left of the RR101.

Pairing No. 2: WT101 vs. WTKS

My friend was dubious about including the standard 101 in the tasting because of it's common plebian image. The 101 is always in my cabinet for vatting and cocktails, but I never drink it straight because I always turn to premium expressions when I sip. After reading about the WTKS on this board, I had high hopes.

Since both spirits have the same proof, we poured samples of each and tasted. They tasted virtually identical to both of us. Maybe it was our imaginations, but perhaps the KS had a marginally fuller flavor, but then we tasted the 101 and it tasted marginally fuller as well...LOL. We added a drop of water to each...tasted identical. If you had put them in front of me blind with a gun to my mother's head, I could not have told you which was which. At $21 and $48 respectively, the clear winner was the standard WT101. Based on this tasting, I would never buy WTKS again, and I would not hesitate to order the 101 neat in a bar.

Pairing No. 3: WTRB vs WTRRSB

At 108 and 110 proof, they are close enough that a straight-from-the bottle comparison was appropriate, which we did with anticipation and caution. They both are impressive and delicious drams. The SB is noticeably sweeter and significantly smoother on the palate, The RB has a more traditional flavor, not as sweet, and tasted slightly spicier. When cut with more than a bit of water, they both opened up and proved more drinkable, but their flavors did not change and they both were rich and delicious.

We have both admired the RB and it is one of our top picks for Cadillac Manhattans...of course, we love it straight as well. This was the first time that either of us had tasted the SB, and we both thought that it is one of the finest bourbons we had ever tasted with the WT flavor profile. The winner was the SB for sipping, but we both agreed that the RB would be our clear choice for cocktails because it's drier flavor gave it the ability to make a great balanced Manhattan when mixed with vermouth.

As a side note, the cigars we smoked were Cuban 2009 Montecristo Open Regatta and 2002 Romeo Y Julieta Robusto Edicion Limitada.

[smknjoe]

Thanks for the notes Oboe. I'm a big fan of the older Rare Breed. The most modern Turkey I've had is the American Spirit. I guess I need to give some of the newer stuff a shot.

[Guest]

Nice write up and thanks.

I generally feel the same way about your findings here, I have had one bottle of the RR101 and loved it, sad that the "marketeers" molested it.

Incidently the standard WT101 seems a fickle creature, I dont know what it is but to me some bottles seem to vary wildly in their profile.I have tasted the current 101 against the 8yr101 and not been able to pick the difference, then some other bottles just taste hot with a no depth, im always hesitant when I open a new bottle, not a good thing!

[zillah]

Thanks for the notes!

I think WT101 gets ignored too much because of its "plebian image." For the price though, it is a fantastic pour. I find there is a huge amount of diminishing returns when stepping up to the RB or RR1B. However, I thought the RR1B was the best Turkey I have tasted so far. (At least for what is available right now)

[White Dog]

Thanks for the notes!! Great post. And the results from Pairing 2 do not surprise me in the least.

[jfw]

Great notes on a Turkey throwdown.

Best thing hands down about flying Southwest is that the bourbon served is WT 101!!!

I agree with zillah, that the WT 1B Barrel Strenght is my favorite of the standard bottlings. But, I'm a sucker for sweet and smooth.

[Max Power]

I'm not sure why WT is as ignored as it is. For the money, they put out one of the finest products out there. From the bottom shelf 101 to the limited releases. The RB is maybe the best out there for $40 that is readily available. Great notes. Cheers!

[BigBoldBully]

Nice to read that you are perfectly willing to put stuff like WTRB in a cocktail. I was looking at a 5-year old post the other day by someone announcing s/he would never "waste" a particular bourbon (as it was 6-year, $10 a bottle, and not terrible neat) by adding anything to it. Then I was out shopping for a piece of furniture and the salesman volunteered (without our even having previously discussed drinks of any sort) that he is a "purist" who would never, ever add water or anything else to whisk(e)y. As for me and Rare Breed, I love combining it with apricot nectar and occasionally other fruit juices.

[smknjoe]

the salesman volunteered (without our even having previously discussed drinks of any sort) that he is a "purist" who would never, ever add water or anything else to whisk(e)y.

When I hear comments like that I just ignore them. They just want to make sure you know that they know...even though they don't know what you really know. :confused: :skep:

[bingstein]

Nice to read that you are perfectly willing to put stuff like WTRB in a cocktail. I was looking at a 5-year old post the other day by someone announcing s/he would never "waste" a particular bourbon (as it was 6-year, $10 a bottle, and not terrible neat) by adding anything to it. Then I was out shopping for a piece of furniture and the salesman volunteered (without our even having previously discussed drinks of any sort) that he is a "purist" who would never, ever add water or anything else to whisk(e)y. As for me and Rare Breed, I love combining it with apricot nectar and occasionally other fruit juices.

My favorite bourbon for making any kind of cocktail is the Rare Breed hands down. Now, I don't mess with older WT products, but the current stuff is great in an old fashioned.

[suntour]

Wait, there is a small undercurrent of folks that like the RRSBsmB? I thought I was the only one!

There must have been significant variation on that one or some turkey (nyuck nyuck) barrels out there. I'm always impressed when I go back to mine how much I like it.

[Kalessin]

Wait, there is a small undercurrent of folks that like the RRSBsmB? I thought I was the only one!

There must have been significant variation on that one or some turkey (nyuck nyuck) barrels out there. I'm always impressed when I go back to mine how much I like it.

[smokinjoe]

Wait, there is a small undercurrent of folks that like the RRSBsmB? I thought I was the only one!

There must have been significant variation on that one or some turkey (nyuck nyuck) barrels out there. I'm always impressed when I go back to mine how much I like it.

No, you're not alone. I'll in the small undercurrent of folks that like the RRSBsmB. Liked it from the beginning, and it was a repurchase for me. I'm not sure we can put a full team out there for the SB.Com Spring Softball Game, though.... We'll have to use Ghost Men and Closed Right Field!!!

[DrBob]

Some of us are lurker likers... I have a half bottle I have been working on since summer, an empty I drank while on vacation at christmas, and two in the bunker. I like it.

[Eskwar]

Looks like a great day, OC. Thanks for sharing your results. WT101 was pretty much my only whiskey of any kind from the early '90s until just a few years ago, so I like to see others' impressions of it and its kin. Don't let the modern WTKS scare you off too much--if you can find some older ones with the dark tops (preferably smooth), they might change your opinion of that expression. Also, just curious: did y'all test blind, or were the differences pronounced enough to render that unnecessary? Either way, what a great way to have spent what looks like a beautiful day.

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[Max Power]

Count me as a WT lover. The RRSB is perfect with a cube or two. The aroma opens up and it mellows sweetly. WTRB is my go to pour.