Hannah’s Wild Turkey 101 Bourbon Review
Original review written December 6, 2019
GENERAL DESCRIPTION:
If sampling, buy a 375 ml bottle, not the tiny shot bottles you find in baskets at check-out. While the bottled version is simple and a little disappointing, the small plastic offering provides flavors similar to gasoline, in my opinion. Read my Wild Turkey 101 Bourbon Review here! 79/100
VITALS:
– Made in: Kentucky, USA
– Distiller: Wild Turkey/Austin, Nichols Distilling Company
– Classification: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
– Age: nas (believed to be a blend of a 6, 7, and 8 year old bourbon)
– Mash Bill: Corn=75%; Rye=13%; Malted Barley=12%
– Casks: New charred oak; Char #4
– Barrel Entry Proof: 114
– ABV: 50.5% (101 proof)
– Price: $23.95 USD in Idaho
Visit wildturkeybourbon.com for more information
ENJOYMENT METHOD:
I enjoyed the juice neat from a whiskey tumbler with father and fellow Whiskey for the Ages reviewer, Brian.
Check out his review for this bourbon here!
SETTING:
I picture sitting on an old porch of a run-down house, ceiling fan spinning on a rapid course to combat the humidity of an Alabama afternoon. This spirit is a refreshing breath within the thick, wet air of a hot day.
Photo by Evgeny Dzhumaev on Unsplash
NOSE:
Sweetness comes to the nose immediately, with caramel being dominant. As the spirit warms, the rye inches forward, and it is a welcome addition, as I’m not the sugary-bourbon type. Even still, the caramel seems a little sickly, but I’m not turned off completely yet. I’m looking for a depth of richness, and I just can’t get anything. At 101 proof, I’m looking for more.
PALATE:
– Mouth Feel: Creamy. This is my favorite aspect of this bourbon, for sure.
– Balance: It’s blended for sure, but it’s simple, so it’s a little disappointing.
– Visual: Russet muscat in color, with a very pretty crown that has evenly spaced legs and droplets; very reminiscent of Christmas lights.
– Taste: There is a classic bourbon feel and taste from this … almost to the point of being plain. With a little more digging, I find a vanilla element that makes the mouth feel that much more creamy. I’m hunting for other flavors, but I’m struggling. There is one flavor that I can only hold onto for a moment, but it isn’t long enough to say definitively what the flavor is.
There isn’t an overwhelming alcohol burn that I’ve had from other bourbons of equal, or even less proof (e.g. Colonel E.H. Taylor Small Batch and Blanton’s Single Barrel…). That being said, Wild Turkey 101 is readily available (as opposed to Taylor and much cheaper than Blanton’s). Does that make up for the lackluster performance thus far? … No, I don’t think it does.
With a Kentucky chew, that hidden flavor comes back briefly. It’s a little chocolate-y and a little fruity.
FINISH:
– Lasting Power: Medium. There’s warmth left over, but it’s contained only to the mouth.
– Between Sips: The only thing I can get is a sickly sweet sensation.
– No More: The oak from the barrel is coming through the further into the glass I get. I’ve decided my mystery flavor could be dates, but that’s as fruity as this bourbon gets. The caramel is still there, but it seems to be improving. As it continues to improve, I find a bitter rose petal to chew on, but it’s somewhat enjoyable.
The empty Glencairn smells equally sweet as the other aspects of this bourbon with only a hint of oak.
WORTH THE PRICE?
I suppose. Overall, this is an okay bourbon at a fair price. It’s a right of passage bourbon, so experiment away!
RATING: 79/100
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