TMH Posted May 10, 2005 Share Posted May 10, 2005 Does the marking on Rare Breed bottles like "WT 01-99" have any significance, like a bottling date for example? 01/99 happens to be the month and year my wife and I were married, so naturally I was pleasantly surprised to see this on a great bourbon like Rare Breed. It's also a great excuse to add to my growing collection of bunkered spirits. Thanks in advance.Regards, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
musher Posted May 11, 2005 Share Posted May 11, 2005 I've always assumed that they're actual batch numbers, like they are claimed to be. If that is true, then they must bottle a bunch of RB every few years and warehouse it. I base all of this conjecture on the fact that, for quite a while, the only RB I could find was WT-01-99, and I never was all too crazy about that "batch". The newer batch, WT-03RB, I find much more appealing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barrel_Proof Posted May 11, 2005 Share Posted May 11, 2005 I believe that Rare Breed batch W-T-01-99 (108.4 proof) is third batch of Rare Breed bottled and the first of them to use the turkey label. The first two batches about which I am aware, W-T-01-95 (109 proof) and W-T-01-97 (108.6 proof), had cream-colored, no turkey labels.Gobble gobble. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Posted May 18, 2005 Share Posted May 18, 2005 i have the WT-03RB, and its the only one ive had. it was one of my first bourbons i had tasted and enjoyed so much that i started getting into the bourbon scene. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TMH Posted May 18, 2005 Author Share Posted May 18, 2005 Here's the answer to my question from the Wild Turkey customer service department, Thank you for taking the time to contact us about Wild Turkey Bourbon. We always enjoy hearing from loyal customers. Please be advised, unfortunately, this is just a batch number and has nothing to do with the bottling date. Oh well, too bad about the date, but I'll pick one up anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luv2hunt Posted May 21, 2005 Share Posted May 21, 2005 I believe that Rare Breed batch W-T-01-99 (108.4 proof) is third batch of Rare Breed bottled and the first of them to use the turkey label. The first two batches about which I am aware, W-T-01-95 (109 proof) and W-T-01-97 (108.6 proof), had cream-colored, no turkey labels.I must have the first batch then.....the bottle I have says W-T-01-93 (110.8 proof). No turkey on the label. Dawn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barrel_Proof Posted May 21, 2005 Share Posted May 21, 2005 I believe that Rare Breed batch W-T-01-99 (108.4 proof) is third batch of Rare Breed bottled and the first of them to use the turkey label. The first two batches about which I am aware, W-T-01-95 (109 proof) and W-T-01-97 (108.6 proof), had cream-colored, no turkey labels.I must have the first batch then.....the bottle I have says W-T-01-93 (110.8 proof). No turkey on the label. Dawn Well done Dawn! This is the first I have heard of this '93 batch of Rare Breed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monte Posted May 21, 2005 Share Posted May 21, 2005 A friend brought over a similar WTRB bottle to a tasting, and on the back label, there's a dot matrix printed date of 02/17/93 08:16, so I assume that's a bottling date and time. The front label is also turkey-less and the neck says batch W-T-03-93, 55.7% ALC/VOL (111.4 proof).Pretty good whiskey, and not fundamentally different than what they bottle now as WTRB (aside from proof) but honestly, I prefer Russel's Reserve these days. A fine pour...Regards,-monte- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wrbriggs Posted May 21, 2005 Share Posted May 21, 2005 Pretty good whiskey, and not fundamentally different than what they bottle now as WTRB (aside from proof) but honestly, I prefer Russel's Reserve these days. A fine pour...Then stock up on RR, because they're dropping it to 90 proof and putting it in a cheap-looking bottle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monte Posted May 21, 2005 Share Posted May 21, 2005 Then stock up on RR, because they're dropping it to 90 proof and putting it in a cheap-looking bottle. Yep, that fine control state to your east has a sale on both Rare Breed and Russel's Reserve, and also is running a 15% case sale (both of which end Monday). Needless to say, I've put some RR in the bunker!!Thanks,-monte- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luv2hunt Posted June 2, 2005 Share Posted June 2, 2005 Does anyone really know when the first batch of Rare Breed was released? This weekend I bought a bottle with the old label (no turkey) and the label indicates it is WT-01-91 (109.6 proof). The other batches already identified are:W-T-01-93 (110.8 proof)W-T-03-93 (111.4 proof)W-T-01-95 (109 proof)W-T-01-97 (118.6 proof)*W-T-01-99 (108.4 proof) *New labels with the turkey**WT-03RB ??Is that it?Dawn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
musher Posted June 2, 2005 Share Posted June 2, 2005 The WT-03RB batch is 108.2 proof. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TNbourbon Posted June 2, 2005 Share Posted June 2, 2005 According the Wild Turkey's own website, Rare Breed was introduced in 1991 -- so that WT-01-91 would seem to be the first issue. Wild Turkey history (requires a PDF download to view properly) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luv2hunt Posted June 2, 2005 Share Posted June 2, 2005 Thanks Tim! Dawn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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