Wild Turkey 101 8yr Jimmy Russell 70th Anniversary release

[lemonman]

Thanks for that review! I've walked past a shelf of this for 46.99 several times, always telling myself I could buy Rare Breed for about the same price. Anybody do that comparison yet?

 

 

[Richnimrod]

1 hour ago, lemonman said:

Thanks for that review! I've walked past a shelf of this for 46.99 several times, always telling myself I could buy Rare Breed for about the same price. Anybody do that comparison yet?

 

Hmmm.  Interesting question, lemonman!     I should pop the cork on a RB and water it a bit and give that a try.    I did say to myself while I was doing the SBS; 'Man I wish this puppy was about 115-proof, I bet that would really shine!'

[flahute]

It hit Washington State today and Total Wine has enough of it that it was on the website to order with no limits so I got two of them that I will pick up later.

[steven s]

did the same at the albuquerque TW. 46$ each.

 

[flahute]

Drinking this and regular side by side and the 70th is definitely a good step up for me. I can taste the extra age. It's more refined and balanced than the regular. And to be clear I have no problem with how the regular tastes. Loving this commemorative bottle.

[LCWoody]

On 10/22/2024 at 5:50 PM, lemonman said:

Thanks for that review! I've walked past a shelf of this for 46.99 several times, always telling myself I could buy Rare Breed for about the same price. Anybody do that comparison yet?

 

 

You have to look at it from a different angle other than price and proof. It is well known that Jimmy Russell loves 101 proof and eight-year-old Bourbon. This is what he wants you to experience, so it is definitely worth buying a bottle in my opinion. He is the greatest living master distiller alive at this moment, and probably of all time. This is a tribute to him and what he wants you to experience in the Bourbon that he loves the most. 

Are there better while turkeys out there, yes, but this is a tribute to him. I have finished about half of the first bottle I have opened and have bought four more. It is a very good bourbon and considering the age and proof point in today’s market it is well worth it. 
 

[Richnimrod]

Quick note: I stopped at the main monger for an additional 70th Anniversary WT.   SORRY, SOLD OUT!   Booooo!   My monger said he'd tried to order more and was told 'not soon, and maybe not at all'.   BUMMER!

I wish I'd had the foresight to just scoop up two when it came in last week.   Story of my life.   Too late smart; too soon old.

[Richnimrod]

On 10/21/2024 at 4:07 PM, Richnimrod said:

OK, here's my 'analysis' after doing a SBS between regular WT 101 and the Jimmie Russel 70th Anniversary edition at twice the price (or more).   Bear with me here (or don't; yer call), as I was pretty careful in doing the comparison, and took copious notes.

First "Ordinary 101".   

Color: Rich Amber. slight red/copper highlights.

Nose: Slightly 'musty' (rickhouse) aroma is obvious.   Oak, Burnt sugar, slight vanilla.

Palate: Lotsa caramel, nice 'baking spice mixture in the back palate exhibiting nutmeg, subtle clove note, brown sugar, hint of cinnamon, (or maybe allspice), black pepper, and a tiny hint of vanilla.   Alcohol burn is moderate, as expected for 101-proof.

Finish: Moderately long, fading from black-peppery to caramel, to vanilla, all with that underlying musty rickhouse note (which I don't object to).

 

Now, the 70th Anniverary 101.

Color: At least a shade deeper amber, maybe 2; darker, stronger red/copper highlights.

Nose: Way less "musty"!  Very Nice!  More vanilla, more brown sugar, oak is somewhat moderated, as is the burnt sugar; richer caramel, same 'spice rack' in the back palate, maybe a hint more clove, and tad less cinnamon (very subtle).   Alcohol burn is notably less (dare I say: SMOOTHER?).   Entire palate is very nicely "integrated".   One might describe it as a 'high-end-Bourbon', which I guess at fiddy bux it kinda is.

Finish: Moderately long like the regular 101.  And, fairly similar; but, with a bit more black pepper to begin, fading to very buttery caramel, to vanilla, and finally the impression of a "buttered hot biscuit".

 

I didn't try to do all this again with water added, to see what that might change, as I already could feel my palate tiring.  (Note: I had poured about 2-ounces each into standard glencairns, so plenty enough to tire it out, eh?)

 

So there ya' go!  FWIW.

OK here's the follow-up...   (Tip of hat to lemonman for suggesting this SBS.)

I did uncork a Rare Breed (112.8-proof) and water it to 101 (at least as close as I could get with about 3-ounces), and compare the 70th Anniversary to that 'watered down' RB.

Overview: that was a rather closer pair to put against one another!   (Not that the ordinary WT101 was inferior to the 70th by any great amount IMO.)

The RB and the 70th were virtually identical in color.    On the nose the RB was slightly more 'aromatic' (more of the light-alcohol-carried aromas, I thought); but, the differences were very subtle, and probably not enough to warrant any 'decision' between the two.   On the palate both had the expected alcohol burn at about the same level, and exhibited the same caramel, brown sugar, burnt sugar, clove, black pepper, and a hint of cinnamon.   I thought the 70th had a slightly 'thicker' mouthfeel, and just a tad less black pepper.   The finishes were quite similar as well; but, again, I noted that "melted butter-on-a-warm-biscuit' impression on the 70th that I find very nice.

 

Overall, costs being equal (which they pretty much are in The Mitten State) I'd grab the RB if I already had the 'keepsake' 70th Anniversary bottle... which now I do.

Edited October 27, 2024 by Richnimrod
typo

[Jazzhead]

Would love to find a bottle of this.   If it can be had for $50 retail,  it appears to fill a true hole in the WT lineup and one that I'd instantly grab off the shelf.    

 

That hole is the gap between the volume product WT101 at $30 and the single barrel WTKS at $70.      Since I prefer Turkey at 101 proof,  I've always wanted a curated, small-batched Turkey at that same proof (much like the niche filled by Knob Crreek vs. regular Beam),  that isn't subject to the fluctuations of  a single barrel.   (My last WTKS was just meh,  and thus a disappointment at the price I paid.)   

 

I've made do with a blend of Russell's Reserve 10 and Rare Breed,   but this new product appears to fill the bill.   Let's hope the taters ease off and let us regular folks get it for retail! 

[Richnimrod]

2 hours ago, Jazzhead said:

Would love to find a bottle of this.   If it can be had for $50 retail,  it appears to fill a true hole in the WT lineup and one that I'd instantly grab off the shelf.    

 

That hole is the gap between the volume product WT101 at $30 and the single barrel WTKS at $70.      Since I prefer Turkey at 101 proof,  I've always wanted a curated, small-batched Turkey at that same proof (much like the niche filled by Knob Crreek vs. regular Beam),  that isn't subject to the fluctuations of  a single barrel.   (My last WTKS was just meh,  and thus a disappointment at the price I paid.)   

 

I've made do with a blend of Russell's Reserve 10 and Rare Breed,   but this new product appears to fill the bill.   Let's hope the taters ease off and let us regular folks get it for retail! 

...Or . . . Try a bottle of Rare Breed.   They 'batch' an unknown (but likely significant) number of barrels and bottle 'em for this brand at barrel-proof.   The poofs vary; but generally fall in a fairly narrow range.   It's never very high, and I don't recall it being far under 109-pr.   I'm unaware of how they choose the barrels; but, I've had quite a few from various batches and never had a bottle I found less than wonderful.   ...AND, the good news: it's priced at around $50.   ...At least in The Mitten State.

One can always 'water it down' to whatever proof is desired.    ...Under the BP it's bottled at, of course; pretty tough to "water it UP"!  HA!

[PaulO]

2 hours ago, Richnimrod said:

...Or . . . Try a bottle of Rare Breed.   They 'batch' an unknown (but likely significant) number of barrels and bottle 'em for this brand at barrel-proof.   The poofs vary; but generally fall in a fairly narrow range.   It's never very high, and I don't recall it being far under 109-pr.   I'm unaware of how they choose the barrels; but, I've had quite a few from various batches and never had a bottle I found less than wonderful.   ...AND, the good news: it's priced at around $50.   ...At least in The Mitten State.

One can always 'water it down' to whatever proof is desired.    ...Under the BP it's bottled at, of course; pretty tough to "water it UP"!  HA!

Indeed, for a cheapskate like me, WTRB ~ $50 is the expensive bottle I consider worth it.  If it comes down to other labels trying to be top shelf, they have to pass the WTRB yardstick comparison.    Not an easy test to pass.

[flahute]

4 hours ago, Richnimrod said:

...Or . . . Try a bottle of Rare Breed.   They 'batch' an unknown (but likely significant) number of barrels and bottle 'em for this brand at barrel-proof.   The poofs vary; but generally fall in a fairly narrow range.   It's never very high, and I don't recall it being far under 109-pr.   I'm unaware of how they choose the barrels; but, I've had quite a few from various batches and never had a bottle I found less than wonderful.   ...AND, the good news: it's priced at around $50.   ...At least in The Mitten State.

One can always 'water it down' to whatever proof is desired.    ...Under the BP it's bottled at, of course; pretty tough to "water it UP"!  HA!

RB is a blend of 6, 8, and 12yr barrels. I once did a blending exercise at Wild Turkey with these three component parts. They gave us a bottle of actual WTRB to use as a control sample. Jimmy himself tasted all our blends to declare a winner.

We did not win but I learned that there's not much 12yr in the blend. It doesn't take much. Mostly 6yr, a decent amount of 8yr, then a tad bit of 12.

[GaryT]

12 hours ago, flahute said:

RB is a blend of 6, 8, and 12yr barrels. I once did a blending exercise at Wild Turkey with these three component parts. They gave us a bottle of actual WTRB to use as a control sample. Jimmy himself tasted all our blends to declare a winner.

We did not win but I learned that there's not much 12yr in the blend. It doesn't take much. Mostly 6yr, a decent amount of 8yr, then a tad bit of 12.

Now THAT sounds like an incredible amount of fun!  Trying to blend to hit WTRB with Jimmy as a judge - wow!!  (although if it was a 'bottle yer own' event - hard to fight the urge to throw the game and just bottle 12 yr old barrel proof turkey  )

[flahute]

10 hours ago, GaryT said:

Now THAT sounds like an incredible amount of fun!  Trying to blend to hit WTRB with Jimmy as a judge - wow!!  (although if it was a 'bottle yer own' event - hard to fight the urge to throw the game and just bottle 12 yr old barrel proof turkey  )

I may or may not have walked off with a sample bottle of the 8 and the 12yr! With permission from Eddie.

Unfortunately there was no official bottle takeaway so the samples were the best we could do.

[GaryT]

1 hour ago, flahute said:

I may or may not have walked off with a sample bottle of the 8 and the 12yr! With permission from Eddie.

Unfortunately there was no official bottle takeaway so the samples were the best we could do.

That's awesome!  Definitely a 'pro tip' - if you have the chance to snag 'samples' (whether a barrel pick or something else), and it's good whiskey - DO IT (and be prepared to have your own container, like an empty water bottle )  I think my old man wound up using a recently emptied apple juice bottle once to collect some samples of ETL during a barrel pick.  The good old days!

[JakeySnakes]

Finally arrived here in NY. I’ve been checking in at my local store occasionally waiting for it to arrive. Stopped in today after work and saw a bottle in the case. Manager said they just got “a small amount” in, and they only had 4 left. Bought 2 at $45 per, and left 2 for the next guy.

[flahute]

On 10/30/2024 at 2:58 PM, GaryT said:

That's awesome!  Definitely a 'pro tip' - if you have the chance to snag 'samples' (whether a barrel pick or something else), and it's good whiskey - DO IT (and be prepared to have your own container, like an empty water bottle )  I think my old man wound up using a recently emptied apple juice bottle once to collect some samples of ETL during a barrel pick.  The good old days!

Here are the sample bottles. 
Look closely at the proofs. 

[Jazz Nut]

8 minutes ago, flahute said:

Here are the sample bottles. 
Look closely at the proofs. 

Wow--I am assuming barrel proof right from the barrel?  How doe they taste?!  Love those proofs, were the barrels aged on low floors?

[Kepler]

On 10/29/2024 at 8:02 AM, Jazzhead said:

Would love to find a bottle of this.   If it can be had for $50 retail,  it appears to fill a true hole in the WT lineup and one that I'd instantly grab off the shelf.    

 

That hole is the gap between the volume product WT101 at $30 and the single barrel WTKS at $70.      Since I prefer Turkey at 101 proof,  I've always wanted a curated, small-batched Turkey at that same proof (much like the niche filled by Knob Crreek vs. regular Beam),  that isn't subject to the fluctuations of  a single barrel.   (My last WTKS was just meh,  and thus a disappointment at the price I paid.)   

 

I've made do with a blend of Russell's Reserve 10 and Rare Breed,   but this new product appears to fill the bill.   Let's hope the taters ease off and let us regular folks get it for retail! 

 

Good post.  I like your thought process.

 

Edit:  P.S.  I think you will be happy with the 70th if you find it.  To me, it fits the bill perfectly for what you are looking for.  I originally purchased 2 bottles but after opening mine I went back for 2 more.

 

 

 

 

Edited November 1, 2024 by Kepler
added P.S.

[GaryT]

6 hours ago, Jazz Nut said:

Wow--I am assuming barrel proof right from the barrel?  How doe they taste?!  Love those proofs, were the barrels aged on low floors?

Same questions! 

I remember Eddie explaining the low proof of one of the first Master's Keep releases as being low barrel proof. You see that in Scotland, and in pockets in the US, but to drop down to 92.3 in 12 years - curious if it's something about their geography, rickhouse design, or what.  Whatever it is - they make damned good whiskey!

[PaulO]

6 hours ago, GaryT said:

Same questions! 

I remember Eddie explaining the low proof of one of the first Master's Keep releases as being low barrel proof. You see that in Scotland, and in pockets in the US, but to drop down to 92.3 in 12 years - curious if it's something about their geography, rickhouse design, or what.  Whatever it is - they make damned good whiskey!

At some point I believe Nancy explained how proof can either go up or down over time depending on the conditions.

[LW25]

All of the stores around me (in MS) seemed to get this bottle on the same day, and they sold out in about a week.  I was down for two weeks recovering from surgery and missed out on it, but I did manage to find a buddy that grabbed one for me, and he said his local store still has 2.5 cases of it.  From reading everybody's thoughts in here, I'm thinking I should ask him to go get another 1 or 2 for me.  Supposed to meet up with him in another week or two and do a bottle swap and I can get my hands on it.  I always have Rare Breed at Thanksgiving but this year it'll be the 70th anniversary 8 year bottle! 

[mbroo5880i]

15 hours ago, GaryT said:

Same questions! 

I remember Eddie explaining the low proof of one of the first Master's Keep releases as being low barrel proof. You see that in Scotland, and in pockets in the US, but to drop down to 92.3 in 12 years - curious if it's something about their geography, rickhouse design, or what.  Whatever it is - they make damned good whiskey!

 

9 hours ago, PaulO said:

At some point I believe Nancy explained how proof can either go up or down over time depending on the conditions.

 

I recall purchasing a Old Scout Barrel Proof (MGP) that was around 98 proof.  I remember sending John Little a private message and he sent a nice reply about where the barrel had been aged in the warehouse.  I seem to recall it being a cooler location.  He indicated they had run across several similar barrels.  I believe it was around 9 years old.  It was quite stellar!  

[mbroo5880i]

I have only seen it on the shelf once.  It was $78,99.  

Edited November 2, 2024 by mbroo5880i

[flahute]

12 hours ago, PaulO said:

At some point I believe Nancy explained how proof can either go up or down over time depending on the conditions.

I've also talked about this a lot. The principle is this: high floor, high heat, lower humidity = more water evaporating and higher proof.

Lower floor, especially middle of the floor, rickhouse at the bottom of a valley, maybe a rickhouse with a stone exterior, cooler temps, more humidity = more alcohol evaporating and lower proofs.

 

You may recall me talking about theiving a barrel of Heaven Hill 16yr wheated bourbon. It had been aged in the middle of the first floor and was barrel proof at 98.