Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit

[flahute]

I generally agree with the sentiment that WTKS while good, is not worth the price considering what you can get from WTRB much cheaper and RRSB for just a bit more.

That said, I was surprised to find WTKS tasting the best when I tired them all sbsbs when touring the distillery back in May. Didn't think that would happen.

[DonutsNBourbon]

WTKS is a fine pour, I like it a lot. Hard to say if it's worth the upcharge. During my distillery visit I tasted is sbsbs with Rare Breed and RR Single Barrel. I actually liked KS the best.

I'm a big fan of WT101 and KS is supposed to be the best barrels of 101 left to age longer and then bottled as a single barrel. Really good stuff. Hard to justify it at more than twice the price so I don't see it ever becoming a regular for with Rare Breed being what it is. I'll still buy one from time to time though.

I was able to try RB and KS at a bourbon fest last month too, which was kinda nice. I'd been wanting to try KS. the WT rep described KS to me as being the same as WT101, but aged for 8 years instead of 4. Tried both pours and I actually liked the RB more than KS. I was kinda glad because I don't really wanna pay $50 for a bottle when I like the $35 stuff more Maybe I'll see if I can try it again some other time and see if my palate tells me different.

[BigBoldBully]

I was able to try RB and KS at a bourbon fest last month too, which was kinda nice. I'd been wanting to try KS. the WT rep described KS to me as being the same as WT101, but aged for 8 years instead of 4. Tried both pours and I actually liked the RB more than KS. I was kinda glad because I don't really wanna pay $50 for a bottle when I like the $35 stuff more Maybe I'll see if I can try it again some other time and see if my palate tells me different.

According to their website, as of even a month ago, the 101 is made up of primarily 6, 7 and 8 year old bourbons. Oddly, I just tried my link to the page stating that (which I have a screenshot of for reference) but it is not working.

And of course, WT101 used to be 8-year age stated. Remarkable (but not implausible) that they would be saying current KS is essentially the same as the former 101 but for $50 a bottle.

[fozzy71]

According to their website, as of even a month ago, the 101 is made up of primarily 6, 7 and 8 year old bourbons. Oddly, I just tried my link to the page stating that (which I have a screenshot of for reference) but it is not working.

And of course, WT101 used to be 8-year age stated. Remarkable (but not implausible) that they would be saying current KS is essentially the same as the former 101 but for $50 a bottle.

hehe, good stuff. hard to beat 101 for the price. Guess I should open my bunkered bottle of that next since I have the RB KS and RRSiB all open currently.....

[DonutsNBourbon]

According to their website, as of even a month ago, the 101 is made up of primarily 6, 7 and 8 year old bourbons. Oddly, I just tried my link to the page stating that (which I have a screenshot of for reference) but it is not working.

And of course, WT101 used to be 8-year age stated. Remarkable (but not implausible) that they would be saying current KS is essentially the same as the former 101 but for $50 a bottle.

yea, I was trying to find a reference for what he was telling me too last night but couldn't find it. Actually, I still have on of their little brochures from the fest, and I remembered wrong. WT101 is a mix of 5-8 years old bourbon, according to their pamphlet. KS is at least 8.5 years old and single barrel... lol@ the .5 years. still, at more than double the price.

Edited October 13, 2015 by DonutsNBourbon

[smokinjoe]

I dug up some emails from WT last Spring that I received while inquiring on a private barrel selection. I was informed that the WTKS is between 8 and 10 years old. Also, they are specifically drawn from between the 3rd and 5th levels of their rickhouses.

[flahute]

I dug up some emails from WT last Spring that I received while inquiring on a private barrel selection. I was informed that the WTKS is between 8 and 10 years old. Also, they are specifically drawn from between the 3rd and 5th levels of their rickhouses.

8-10 is what I remember being told on the tour. They also told us that WTKS are the better barrels from what starts as WT101 and are then left to age longer.

[Jazz Nut]

I am a huge Wild Turkey fan, and am wondering what the reason is to choose Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit over Russell's Reserve Single Barrel (110 proof, unchill-filtered, etc.)?

I have often seen it in the stores, but between their normal 101 bottling, Rare Breed, and Russell's Reserve, to me, Kentucky Spirit doesn't really have a place in their line up. Unless the only goal is to choose the best barrels of 101, for the 101 enthusiasts? Still, I am curious, and probably will buy a bottle at some point.

[mosugoji64]

I had a bottle of WTKS from '04 that was wonderful and didn't last long. It easily bests the bottle of RB I have now, which tastes of alcohol and little else. The RB is not a current bottle and given reports of WT being more consistent these days I'm willing to give RB another shot. But if the next RB isn't any better it will be the last.

[flahute]

I am a huge Wild Turkey fan, and am wondering what the reason is to choose Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit over Russell's Reserve Single Barrel (110 proof, unchill-filtered, etc.)?

I have often seen it in the stores, but between their normal 101 bottling, Rare Breed, and Russell's Reserve, to me, Kentucky Spirit doesn't really have a place in their line up. Unless the only goal is to choose the best barrels of 101, for the 101 enthusiasts? Still, I am curious, and probably will buy a bottle at some point.

That's what I used to think until I tried them sbsbs. I was expecting to like KS the least and it surprised me. Now I haven't purchased one since then, but I do think about it now.

[Hop]

All the activity here prompted me to pour a glass from one of the barrel select bottles I picked up in SC. The neck label states warehouse N and Rick 3. I've not been a fan of WT101 or WTRB I've tried in the past but I really like this WTKS.

[mibourbonguy]

I remember wt101 getting better as I went through the bottle, so I bought so I bought some KS on a whim. It's very good with a nice balance of oak and rye.

[ethangsmith]

The bottle of WTKS that I have is decent. Unlike most opinions on here, I've instead noticed a fairly steep downward trend in WT products. I find the 101, the RRSB, and WTRB to be hot and thin with a very unpleasant rubbing alcohol flavor and burn. WT used to take up a large portion of my whiskey cabinet but over the past 2-3 years has been whittled down to just a corner. I don't know if it's the change in the barreling proof that occurred a few years back, or tight supply of aged product, but it's not the thick, sweet, butterscotch-and-leather product it was a few years ago. My most recent bottle of 101 is all but brown vodka. Yuck.