Wild Turkey 101: Classic for a Reason

Wild Turkey 101 Review

Origin: USA, Kentucky (Wild Turkey Hill)

Type: Bourbon

Proof: 101 (50.5% ABV)

Age: minimum 5 years

Mash Bill: 75% corn, 13% rye and 12% malted barley

Color: Auburn

MSRP: $25

When talking about budget bourbons, there is bound to be talk about the infamous 101 by Wild Turkey. This bourbon is a cornerstone for bourbon and whiskey enthusiasts. If you are a beginner in the bourbon space, you can never go wrong telling a fellow enthusiast that 101 is your go to drink. Far too strong for the casual and faint of heart, when you mention you pour 101 regularly, the whiskey snobs and sommeliers both know you've been around the proverbial whiskey block. 101 Wild Turkey is arguably the more classic bourbon by Wild Turkey Distilling Co. The 101 Wild Turkey uses the same mash bill as the standard proof but ages the bourbon for 6 to 8 years before its bottled and poured. I find in my own experience that the higher ABV of 101 both deepens and incorporates the flavors of the bourbon better than its standard counterpart.

Real Time Review

On the nose, Wild Turkey 101 has a more tangible toffee note, followed closely by caramel and oak. Its color is a darker amber than its standard counterpart, boasting its high proof both the nose and the eyes. Flavor wise, Wild Turkey 101 has that knife's edge sharpness of a higher proof, it hits the palate bold and brightly with a mixture of cinnamon and vanilla. As the bourbon rests on the palette, the oils within the bourbon open up and that bright grain forward flavor of the 101 breaks down into a deeper char and oak note. For people who prefer a more char forward bourbon like that of Old Forester or Woodford Reserve I find that letting the pour settle and air with a single ice cube helps the balance along. I notice as am drinking my second pour, that there is a deep and abiding undernote of peppercorn that stays to tie the brighter grain notes of the bourbon to the darker wood and char notes. I think that strong bite of peppercorn is easily mistaken in the senses due to the higher ABV of the 101.

This bourbon is noticeably more flavorful than its basic counterpart, with a much better evolution in its flavor profile. Where the basic Wild Turkey Bourbon hits you with all of its notes right at once, and leaves the palette flat and uninterested, the 101's more substantial presence and longer aging process, help the palette ease its way through the entirety of the 101's flavor profile. The stronger depth of flavor of the 101 is aided by its slightly thicker consistency. The oils of the 101 really coat the palette well, and for the price, nothing is more iconic than the 101.

90/100

*This bourbon pairs really well with a sweet and peppery cigar like the Macanudo Inspirado White

Comments

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