A particular Wild Turkey Rare Breed question.

[jinenjo]

I've only purchased one version of the WT Rare Breed. I believe it is 56.+%. Without question it is impressive whiskey.

Recently, I saw what looked like an older bottling. The label was different, and the neck said, if I can recall, WT 02 91. It was 55% abv.

Is this an older bottling, or brand new?

Which leads to my next question:

Are there some versions that are far better than others?

I tried to search on the forums, but couldn't find results.

If you have a link or any answers I'd like to know.

Cheers and good tidings!

-Lear

[Virus_Of_Life]

This was actually originally posted by Dawn (luv2hunt) so I cannot take any credit, I just keep it in my bourbon notes word document among other info I want to have handy.

Wild Turkey:

Rare Breed Bottlings:

1) W-T-01-91 (109.6 proof) First Issue

2) W-T-01-93 (110.8 proof)

3) W-T-03-93 (111.4 proof)

4) W-T-03-94 (109.6 proof)

5) W-T-01-95 (109 proof)

6) W-T-01-97 (108.6 proof)

7) W-T-01-97 (118.6 proof)

8) W-T-01-99 (108.4 proof)

9) WT 03RB (108.2 proof)

It appears you either stumbled onto a previously unknown version 02-91 or Dawn or I had a typo... If it is really a W-T-02-91 and 112+ proof it may be one previously unknown. Either way the one you saw was one of the earliest versions and I'd go buy it either for yourself or trade material.

As to which is better I couldn't tell you, I'd love to assemble the whole list and be able to decide, but haven't tasted but only 1 I think. I can tell you that pretty much everyone states the latest WT 03RB is outstanding...

Again I am no expert just relaying info...

[Old Lamplighter]

I was watching the movie, Christmas Vacation, the other night. There is a scene where Randy Quaid (Cousin Eddie) tells Chevy Chase that his (Eddie's) daughter could not make the trip because she was in rehab to "get off of the Wild Turkey". That's going to be me if WT-03RB ever becomes a regular pour for me.:cool:

[jinenjo]

Thanks for the list, Christian.

Very interesting...

I did pick up the bottle today. Here's a poor quality pic of the label. (My digital camera is being stubborn). Sure enough the back label is dated 5/5/92 and the neck reads: W-T-02-91. 55% 110 proof.

I asked the guy when he got the whiskey in stock and he said a couple of weeks ago. That still doesn't indicate that it's new though.

Anyone have a take on this????

-Lear

[HighTower]

Yeah, that's an old bottle alright.....it should even have the flying turkey embossed in the glass above the label. If this retailer has only had it for a couple of weeks, it seems theres some real dusty bottles sitting in a warehouse somewhere???

Scott

[jinenjo]

You're right. It's got the embossed bird. My web cam photo wouldn't dare get that in focus.

Perhaps we'll have to amend that list of Christian's...

Cheers!

-Lear

[TBoner]

Thanks for the original posting of this list, Dawn, and to Christian and Lear for bringing it up last December.

I'm bring it up again because I have managed to accumulate the 1st, 2nd, 6th, 8th, and 9th bottlings of this stuff (those numbers are based on the original list posted: I don't have the 02-91, which is I guess actually the 2nd bottling). I wasn't really trying to start a RB collection, but now I've got half of the versions issued, I'm beginning to think...eh, why not?:cool:

I usually collect to drink, but I haven't cracked any of the RBs (except the last two, which I can get more of), and there's a finite number of bottlings to hunt down. So, the question is, how many of these other bottlings are floating around out there? Any old bottling I've seen, I've bought, and I've been all over this city. Does anyone have a complete collection (Dawn, I assume if anyone does, it's you...or at least that you're close)?

[luv2hunt]

No, I don't have them all....but I have the first few

Is this a correct...updated list:

Wild Turkey:

Rare Breed Bottlings:

1) W-T-01-91 (109.6 proof) First Issue

2) W-T-02-91 (110 proof)

3) W-T-01-93 (110.8 proof)

4) W-T-03-93 (111.4 proof)

5) W-T-03-94 (109.6 proof)

6) W-T-01-95 (109 proof)

7) W-T-01-96 (108.8 proof)

8) W-T-01-97 (108.6 proof)

9) W-T-01-97 (118.6 proof)

10) W-T-01-99 (108.4 proof)

11) WT 03RB (108.2 proof)

Except now I screwed up all the numbers by adding two in!! :bigeyes::bigeyes:

[TBoner]

Okay, so I now have less than half.:grin:

I do have #1,3,8,10, and 11.

Still, it's a start. And, if anyone else is after these, I can possibly hook you up with #8 (01-97, 108.6 proof).

[luv2hunt]

I checked the bunker....I have two of #1 and one #3....unopened

[Barrel_Proof]

I am pretty sure that there is only one W-T-01-97. Mine is 108.6 proof. I believe the 118.6 listing is a typo.

A bottling missing from the list is W-T-02-95 at 109 proof.

[luv2hunt]

Now remember, I made this list originally off reports from others....so how's this:

Wild Turkey:

Rare Breed Bottlings:

1) W-T-01-91 (109.6 proof) First Issue

2) W-T-02-91 (110 proof)

3) W-T-01-93 (110.8 proof)

4) W-T-03-93 (111.4 proof)

5) W-T-03-94 (109.6 proof)

6) W-T-01-95 (109 proof)

7) W-T-02-95 (109 proof)

8) W-T-01-96 (108.8 proof)

9) W-T-01-97 (108.6 proof)

10) W-T-01-99 (108.4 proof)

11) WT 03RB (108.2 proof)

Delete and Addition corrections made

[Barrel_Proof]

I suspect, too, that there was a second batch of 93 and a first and second batch of 94, but I wouldn't change the list until they've actually been found!

[luv2hunt]

Nah....couldn't be!

[spun_cookie]

W-T-01-94 112.2 proof

can be added to the list

[funknik]

I just picked two very dusty bottles of the W-T-01-96. The Twins (as they will be referred to) will be the first two bottles in my "bunker" and I'm excited to have found them -- till now I've only had a stable of open bottles, but here I've started my collection. The spot I picked them up is actually a pizza joint that happens to double as a liquor store & has a very extensive whiskey collection (for Maine)...it also, fortunately, seems to be frequented by folks who shop off the bottom shelf as every bottle (of anything: whiskey, wine, vodka) over $15.99 has an inch of dust on it. Good for me.

[funknik]

Does anyone know when the Rare Breed started coming in the cardboard tube? Is it just the current bottling (WT03RB) or did it start eartlier than that?

[birdman1099]

My 99 versions had them

[Buffalo Bill]

Now remember, I made this list originally off reports from others....so how's this:

Wild Turkey:

Rare Breed Bottlings:

1) W-T-01-91 (109.6 proof) First Issue

2) W-T-02-91 (110 proof)

3) W-T-01-93 (110.8 proof)

4) W-T-03-93 (111.4 proof)

5) W-T-03-94 (109.6 proof)

6) W-T-01-95 (109 proof)

7) W-T-02-95 (109 proof)

8) W-T-01-96 (108.8 proof)

9) W-T-01-97 (108.6 proof)

10) W-T-01-99 (108.4 proof)

11) WT 03RB (108.2 proof)

Delete and Addition corrections made

Wow... thanks for this report. There isn't a day that goes by when I'm not hunting for previous versions of WTRB, I love the stuff - it's in my Top-10 favorite bourbon. I'm working on a W-T-01-99 that is to die for. You guys have been lucky out there - an 02-91 ??? I would have jumped on that bottle. BB

[hectic1]

I have found a source with multiple bottles of the W-T-01-99 and WT03RB versions. They are currently listed at $35.99 but he would deal on them...my question is, which version is considered to be a better batch?

[OscarV]

my question is, which version is considered to be a better batch?

[Lab Walker]

Well, I got some of #11 WT-3RB @ $21.89...

A close out from the good ole PA State Store...It was sitting all by itself on a shelf with the rest of the close outs....

a diamond all alone!

Reminds me, I watched 10,000 BC...ugh. They had pre-historic giant wild turkeys eating the cave men!!! haha

[jburlowski]

The older the better.

The cheaper the better.

[jburlowski]

The cheaper the better.

On second thought... if Oscar is buying, the better!

[OscarV]

On second thought... if Oscar is buying, the better!

I opened up a 1994 WTRB yesterday and shared it all SB.com members that was here but I didn't see you.