Popular Bourbon, Wild Turkey 101

[kbuzbee]

This is a great thread!

Ken

Of course you'd say that.

Well, Happy Birthday, Mark! I'll raise a KS to you tonight!

Ken

[ProofPositive]

This is a great thread!

Ken

I'll second that!

I'll bet you couldn't get this kind response - covering the entire spectrum - with any other bourbon! Maybe, with any other whiskey....well, except perhaps JD.

All in all, it just underlines the magnitude, impact and power of the product. WT101 quite simply remains one of the world's greatest spirits and let's hope it stays that way!

[amb]

Jimmy Russell says:

"We like big bold bodies. We want the flavors and hearty taste. Our flagship whiskey, the 101, has been our signature brand from the beginning of time, and got its name for being a robust 101-proof bourbon. This is a combination of 7-, 8-, and 10-year-old bourbons. I think of it as an old-fashioned bourbon style. It's the same whiskey I can remember half a century ago, and it's the bread-and-butter label that's paid the bills here for all these years. With all our products, today, you're looking at pretty close to one million 9 liter cases per year, both domestic and export. But 101 outsells all our other products 8 to 1, worldwide. And I also want to emphasize one thing, here. Wild Turkey whiskies, the day they're made and put in the barrel, are the same product. It's really all the same whiskey. We don't make a different formula for the 101, or our other labels, today, like the 80 proof or Rare Breed or our Kentucky Spirit. It's all made identical everyday. Only differences are how long it's been in that wood and the percent of alcohol in the bottle. That's all. So, there's a basic consistency throughout the whole product lineup."

http://www.beveragebusiness.com/bbcontent/art-arch/mmbrad09.html

I'm not sure if that article has been posted here before or not (I've been reading the forum for a few months, but this is my first post), but it's worth checking out. Interviews with Elmer T Lee, Jimmy Russell, Booker Noe, and more.

[TNbourbon]

Welcome, and thanks for the link. It appears to be from 2000, but it's always interesting to read what Jimmy, Elmer, et al, have to say.

[ProofPositive]

Thanks for the link to that article. Very informative & well written. Of all the master distillers, it sounds like Jimmy Russell is the most likeable and down-to-earth of all of them. Would love the opportunity to meet him in the future.

Wayne

[kbuzbee]

Many here (including me) have met Jimmy and agree with you, he is very down to earth and always seems to have time for a chat. Last time I was at WT he was sitting in the gift shop, chatting with visitors and signing bottles. That's where my signed Rare Breed came from

Ken

[ProofPositive]

Rare Breed is about the only Turkey I have never tried. How does it rate up against KS? Or, is that not really an apples-to-apples comparison? I have no good excuse for having never purchased a bottle of RB. It may be a mental block that I have: WT is only supposed to be 101 proof. Which also might explain my total rejection of RR90.

WT=101 and 101=WT, plain & simple.

[bobbyc]

WT=101 and 101=WT, plain & simple.

That's my point as well, others here are more versed in trademarks and trade dress but it shows that there is an underlying lack of understanding by the bean counters at WT if they fail to realise that 101 proof has a really big thing to do with the indentification of Wild Turkey. Truthfully I don't see a place in this world for an 80 proof WT. Like we've all been saying, water is still fairly available to all of us if we want to add our own. I have access to spring water that has been finding it's way into Jim Beam bottles since the mid 30s. I would think that would be as good as anything they can pump out of Ky River.

What's next? Bottles of Makers sans wax seal!

[ProofPositive]

WT=101 and 101=WT, plain & simple.

That's my point as well, others here are more versed in trademarks and trade dress but it shows that there is an underlying lack of understanding by the bean counters at WT if they fail to realise that 101 proof has a really big thing to do with the indentification of Wild Turkey. Truthfully I don't see a place in this world for an 80 proof WT. Like we've all been saying, water is still fairly available to all of us if we want to add our own. I have access to spring water that has been finding it's way into Jim Beam bottles since the mid 30s. I would think that would be as good as anything they can pump out of Ky River.

Well put...nothing to add...AMEN and AMEN!!!!!

Wayne

[Virus_Of_Life]

Truthfully I don't see a place in this world for an 80 proof WT. Like we've all been saying, water is still fairly available to all of us if we want to add our own.

Yes, AMEN. I have been to many a bar where WT is their premium or ONLY bourbon (sorry bartender JD ain't broubon) and I have to ask always "is that 80 or the real WT 101?" I love it, love it, love it and for the price I love it even more!

I work for one of the largest Engineering/Construction management firms in the world, we have filtered water in most of our offices; therefore if I need water I got plenty, for free. So God bless the WT101, GTS and the other barrel proof bourbons we are lucky enough to have!

[ProofPositive]

Truthfully I don't see a place in this world for an 80 proof WT. Like we've all been saying, water is still fairly available to all of us if we want to add our own.

So God bless the WT101, GTS and the other barrel proof bourbons we are lucky enough to have!

Absolutely! When I started back with bourbon a couple or three years ago, the lower proofs appealed to me initially. However, not WT because as I have already stated.....WT is synonymous with proof 101. I have never even witnessed one person buying a bottle of 80 proof. Who buys it? Maybe it is for medicinal purposes only.

My advice to WT: drop the 80 proof line and with the freed-up dollars, restart production of RR101...and, maybe a new WT101-12 every few years for us serious WT fans. Is that asking too much?

Wayne

[jeff]

Well, In defense of WT80, I'll say that to me, it's the best 80 proof bourbon on the market, and it is what I cut my teeth on, along with Maker's and Woodford Reserve. I do now prefer the 101, but I think there is a place for the 80. It is what it is, and has always been-unlike RR 90

[Gillman]

I agree and it may be the best value, generally available bourbon in the market (neck and neck anyway with Evan Williams 7 year old but I think the latter is less consistent). WT 80 is, to my taste, much more drinkable than Jim Beam and more interesting (and less costly) than Maker's Mark. It is good at eighty proof precisely because the traditional methods used to make it allow flavor to come through even when let down to 40% ABV. Recently on my travels I wanted a bourbon and the only one available was Jim Beam White Label. I ordered it but after a small sip could not finish the glass. The older expressions (i.e., Beam Black, of course Knob Creek and Booker's) are good whiskeys but the taste profile of Beam White today is one I just can't get past. It reminds me of price bourbons from the 1970's such as Bellows and Virginia Gentleman (at the time not nearly as good as today, in my view).

Gary

[Black85L98]

I don’t think WT101 at $18-$20 a bottle here in LA should go against EW or even EW BIB. EC is about $16 to $18 a bottle here and though it’s 7 points or 3.5% less alcohol to me it is a little better. Always 12 YO, and always more than I expect for the money. Weller’s 107 is close on price point too and is also, in my mind, a great value.

As I said above I love WT101 because:

a. You can find it in just about any bar

b. It’s consistent, the blending of several years may help this

As far as WT 80 proof goes I have to agree that it has a place. People that drink rum that may be as low as 70 proof would have a hard time making the step to 101. Eighty proof gives them a taste of what good bourbon has to offer without hitting them over the head with a shovel.

[fogfrog]

I wrote an email to customer care telling them about the concern of lowering the proof. Here is the response I got:

Dear Paul,

Thank you for taking the time to contact us about Wild Turkey Bourbon. We always enjoy hearing from loyal customers.

Comments and suggestions such as yours provide us with important feedback regarding our products. We appreciate your continued patronage of Wild Turkey Bourbon and hope you continue to enjoy our products.

The new Russell’s Reserve has been lowered to a 90 proof. This was to respond to the needs of the consumers who wanted a product still tasteful but less strong. We are just diversifying our range, but the flagship brand, the 101, will still be the 101.

Warm regards,

Earline Oberholtzer

Wild Turkey Bourbon

Consumer Relations

Wild Turkey is world-renowned as a truly singular bourbon. Don’t forget to try all of the Wild Turkey range: Wild Turkey 80 Proof, Wild Turkey 101 Proof, Rare Breed, Russell’s Reserve, Kentucky Spirit, Wild Turkey Rye, and Wild Turkey Liqueur.

www.wildturkeybourbon.com

I responded to Earline that they should advertise how to dilute your own Wild Turkey and that I myself don't drink much at full strength but learned how to add water. A person can make it whatever proof he wants.

I told her its a lot easier to make it a lower proof than a higher proof for us customers.

Paul

[Gillman]

Oberholtzer is I believe the original name of the Overholt family, and I wonder if this person is a descendant of the first Overholt who invented a famous rye whiskey. Distilling is a close-knit business, as we see e.g., from Beams and others with names storied in the history of bourbon or other spirits manufacture working at Heaven Hill.

Anyway this was a nice letter and while I wonder if people really wanted the drink to be less strong, really one could not expect a different response from Wild Turkey on this subject.

Gary

[ProofPositive]

Thank you for taking the time to contact us about Wild Turkey Bourbon. We always enjoy hearing from loyal customers.

Comments and suggestions such as yours provide us with important feedback regarding our products. We appreciate your continued patronage of Wild Turkey Bourbon and hope you continue to enjoy our products.

The new Russell’s Reserve has been lowered to a 90 proof. This was to respond to the needs of the consumers who wanted a product still tasteful but less strong. We are just diversifying our range, but the flagship brand, the 101, will still be the 101.

Warm regards,

Earline Oberholtzer

Wild Turkey Bourbon

Consumer Relations

I responded to Earline that they should advertise how to dilute your own Wild Turkey and that I myself don't drink much at full strength but learned how to add water. A person can make it whatever proof he wants.

I told her its a lot easier to make it a lower proof than a higher proof for us customers.

Paul

From the rehearsed 'boilerplate' response you got, you obviously were not the first person to whom Earline has responded. Though it is frustrating, I'm sure she is just doing her job. However, it does not excuse WT from such a lame response. I don't think the "needs of the consumers" is of any importance or consideration in re to RR101 or anything else for that matter when it comes to the bean counters....just a lot of they expect us to buy into & believe.

After a couple of years with RR90 sitting on shelves, an inch deep in dust, and backed up at the warehouses & wharfs....well, maybe Austin, Nichols will get the message.

In the meantime, my goal is clear: harvest all the RR101 monetarily possible. From my experience, even if WT finally 'gets' the message, there will be no turning back the clock. When the knot-head bean counters finally relent and admit defeat, RR90 will probably be phased out altogether. Then, as someone else on here has said, we'll be running around snatching up all the RR90 we can find.....but, the RR101 will be very, very long gone by then.

Well, best to end my latest rant on this subject...it does no good!!!!

Wayne

[kbuzbee]

Rare Breed is about the only Turkey I have never tried. How does it rate up against KS? Or, is that not really an apples-to-apples comparison? I have no good excuse for having never purchased a bottle of RB. It may be a mental block that I have: WT is only supposed to be 101 proof. Which also might explain my total rejection of RR90.

WT=101 and 101=WT, plain & simple.

Rare Breed was for years (and at that time) my favorite Bourbon, period. It accounted for 80% of everything I bought. Even though WT distills and barrels at low proof than many, having the final product at barel strength was a plus. Still, you don't add much water to a 109 proof barrel to bottle it at 101

A couple years ago, for no reason I can really define, I switched over to KS. It just has a bit more to it... That said, I just finished a bottle of RB yesterday and it was darned good. Had to go replace it right away.

I know what I'm having tonight though... WT 12! (Thanks Wayne!) Keep hunting!

Ken

[ProofPositive]

I know what I'm having tonight though... WT 12! (Thanks Wayne!) Keep hunting!

Ken

Successful hunt again today .....and I wasn't even trying!

Wayne

[Virus_Of_Life]

I know what I'm having tonight though... WT 12! (Thanks Wayne!) Keep hunting!

Ken

Successful hunt again today .....and I wasn't even trying!

Wayne

I don't believe I've ever seen this, just one more thing to keep my eye open for!

[T47]

It might seem cheesy to some, but if you go to the Wild Turkey web site , you can order up to 5 free personalized labels for the 101 bottles. I thought it was a nice idea for gifts for my buddies who seem to have everything. I like those WT products. I have yet to try the Rye. I am getting a bottle tomorrow and will try it against the Van Winkle family reserve Rye which I have yet to open.

[NorCalBoozer]

thats cool! I saw that a week or 2 ago and was just waiting for an occasion to get some labels.

[DrinkyBanjo]

They also offer this for Rare Breed. I did this over the holidays for some close friends and they got a real kick out of it.