Hannah’s Wild Turkey Rare Breed Review
Original review written September 1, 2021
GENERAL DESCRIPTION:
A big surprise from Wild Turkey for me, this is a bottle I am now determined to keep on hand always. It boasts lots of unique earthy tones with some fruit and spice. 94/100
VITALS:
– Made In: Kentucky, USA
– Distiller: Wild Turkey/Austin Nichols Distilling Company
– Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
– Age: nas
– Mash Bill: Corn=75%; Rye=13%; Malted Barley=12%
– Casks: Char #4
– Barrel Entry Proof: 114
– ABV: 58.4% (116.8 proof)
– Price: $44.95 USD in Idaho
Visit wildturkeybourbon.com for more information
ENJOYMENT METHOD:
I enjoyed the juice neat from a Glencairn with father and fellow Whiskey for the Ages reviewer, Brian.
Check out his review for this bourbon here!
SETTING:
This has a very rustic Christmas written all over it, with the scent of fresh pine trees or branches filling a small space and lit only by the occasional candle. Nevertheless, the space is warm, familiar, and comfortable. Sit and relax with your back against a wall and Rare Breed in hand while you celebrate the holiday in your own unique bubble. It may be quiet, but it is peace, and the possibility for surprise guests is never out of the question. You wouldn’t have it any other way.
Photo by Joanna Kosinska on Unsplash
NOSE:
I get a burst of warm caramel on the first inhale. Strangely enough, I’m immediately reminded of a Knob Creek Idaho Pick I had in the beginning of 2020, and that bourbon turned out to be one of my favorite bourbons of all time. (Slightly concerned I’m suddenly expecting too much of this bourbon, but we will see.) Dark fruits are readily apparent, and are partially dried such that they still have a juiciness to them. Prunes and raisins make up this component and are mixed with a pine tinge and allspice with heavy cinnamon. In a way, it almost smells like a mulled wine.
The barrel is present and also seems somehow fruity (cherry?) and has a bit of clove for spice. For an additional sweetness, I get something cake-like and drizzled with caramel or a really deep custard.
The alcohol is very mild and isn’t abrasive at all unless you really try to make it hurt. In this way, it definitely differs from my aforementioned Knob Creek that was at a higher proof than Rare Breed. Nevertheless, I am now walking into the tasting itself with some (perhaps unfair) expectations and with my hopes up.
PALATE:
– Mouth Feel: Oily yet somehow also textured. It’s viscous on the palate, but it lingers and hooks onto the taste buds without letting go.
– Balance: Predominantly earthy, this still carries distinct spice and fruit elements that make for a very solid blend.
– Visual: Tawny in color, this leaves behind a single ring that creates the occasional clinging droplet with very few legs.
– Taste: A spicy mulled wine hits the taste buds with the cinnamon being heavy enough to be the slightest hint bitter. I get a bit of rye, dusty corn, and citrus zest that all contribute to this bitterness. And while not quite fruit, I am reminded of crystallized ginger, and it could be coated in enough sugar that my palate thinks it’s fruit.
I’d say it’s still piney, if not also a bit dry on its woodiness, but this works to push the other flavors to the forefront of the palate. This whole pour confuses the palate while also being refreshing and new, yet somehow still familiar. I keep trying to hunt for a more distinct fruit beyond mulled wine grapey-ness, but it refuses to appear. An argument could be made for dates or prunes. Nevertheless, while I am a fruit lover, this simply fills a niche in flavor that I know I’ve been chasing since my Knob Creek. It’s not as fruity, but the spice and earthiness resonates in a similar way with just enough fruit to satisfy my high standard.
The alcohol is very easy to contend with in this pour and seems more textural than biting. When I partake in a Kentucky chew, grapes come alive along with cinnamon and clove. It is just a sheer joy to have.
FINISH:
– Lasting Power: Long. Flavor lingers between sips and the warmth settles everywhere.
– Between Sips: A bit more fruit appears between sips, with a splash of cherry coming through along with some old (and perhaps musty) oak. Not a hint of spice.
– No More: It stays very consistent throughout the glass. While I maybe would have liked the fruit to kick it up just a little, there is very little to complain about here. A great pour.
The empty Glencairn is a sweet yet mild oak that has a hint of that ginger from the palate. Really just a solid and unique empty vessel.
WORTH THE PRICE?
At $50 USD the simple answer is, yes. Yes, this is very worth it. This one surprised me, and I was not expected a dupe of one of my favorite bourbons to be found in a Wild Turkey product, but I am very happy to be proven wrong. I will be keeping it on hand.
WILD TURKEY RARE BREED REVIEW RATING: 94/100
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