Wild Turkey 101 8 Year Bourbon

The return of a legendary bottle. I've sampled a lot of this brand over the years. The standard expression, in my view, is hands-down the finest commercially produced whiskey in the $20 range available today. I appreciate the flavor profile so much that I've explored numerous special bottlings, including other lines, in search of something noticeably superior to the standard. While those other bottles are indeed better, frequently offering more distinct caramel or perhaps more spice due to their single barrel nature, they don't justify their price increase, costing around three times as much and sometimes even four times as much. Considering my experiences with those pricier options, I didn't anticipate much from this aged expression at just double the cost of the standard. After all, the standard is reportedly aged between 6-8 years. So, is this just an 8-year-old version of the standard, perhaps a blend of special barrels? I was in for a significant surprise. This 8-year-old expression possesses a profile that is ideal for my preferences. It's considerably deeper, richer, and more complex than the regular offering. It presents dark fruit, potent baking spices (some suggest nutmeg, which sounds plausible), and other deep flavors like toffee. These elements are harmoniously present throughout the aroma, taste, and finish, creating what might be my top bourbon selection from recent years. I understand this might be controversial, but for me, this surpasses the 12-year-old bottling. That one contains all these flavors, but it also introduces a somewhat bitter oak character from extended barrel aging. I actually favor this one, especially given it costs a mere fraction of the price of the 12-year bottling, which can be quite expensive when imported. This 8-year-old expression doesn't seem to be generating widespread excitement, and that's perfectly fine with me as long as it remains available. It's possible that the finest barrels were selected for this initial release to ensure its quality, and subsequent batches might not be as exceptional. Therefore, I'm stocking up. It's worth noting that recent discussions suggest a decline in the quality of the standard expression; perhaps that's why. All the best components are being allocated here. One last point - many advise against this, suggesting Rare Breed is a better choice for a slightly higher price. I disagree with that comparison. Firstly, in my area, Rare Breed is significantly more expensive. Secondly, I don't always desire a higher alcohol content. Lastly, I believe Kentucky Spirit is the more appropriate comparison in terms of alcohol level and age, and that costs considerably more. Individual experiences may differ, and I don't expect everyone to share my exact taste. However, I want this product to be successful so it remains accessible, as this represents a perfect balance for me in a bourbon.

Aroma is packed with spice and wood; freshly ground black pepper, mustard seed, musty oak, damp cellar, stale rainwater, tree bark, white sugar, and light cinnamon. Many off-putting scents. Taste is a complete nutmeg explosion. Add clove, powdered sugar, caramel, bitter oak chips, and a hint of flan. Some decent notes, but honestly the nutmeg dominates everything. Finish offers somehow even MORE nutmeg and clove, cinnamon, tannic oak, chili pepper spice, furniture polish, and spearmint. It's long, but you wish it would end. The mouthfeel is full-bodied and chewy, the best part of this disaster. What the heck. Shockingly poor. WT101 is my usual daily drink, and almost all the sweetness has been removed and replaced with tons of nutmeg. The 70th-anniversary release was 8 years old and 101 proof, and the flavor profile was nothing like this. I can't believe what I'm tasting; this is easily the worst WT expression I've ever had. At $44, it just made me mad because I'd much prefer regular old 101 at half the price. A massive letdown.

Color: Medium Copper-Amber Aroma: Wow! That's an incredible aroma... woody/oaky, molasses, leather, orange creamsicle. I really hope the palate lives up to this aroma... Taste (consumed with a large ice ball): Initial sips bring oak, spiciness, and mild sweetness. A gentle warmth reminds you of the 100+ proof. Some good elements are present. As usual, I'm finding it hard to describe specific flavors... but something like a "cherry" cordial — no! Bubble Gum! Like the bubble gum that came with Topps Baseball cards. As the ice slowly melts, a mellow holiday baking spice emerges. Finish: Medium with a pleasant "buttery" quality, along with the holiday spices from the diluted bottom of the glass. I think I'm also detecting "black pepper". I might sometimes mistake "spicy" for "black pepper". Final Thoughts: I enjoy it! I really need to get another bottle of both the Jimmy Russell 70th and the standard 101 for a blind tasting. But this is definitely an exceptional bottle. 4.25 stars!

The distillery uses a single bourbon mash bill - 75% corn, 13% rye, and 12% barley. This bottle has aged for eight years and was purchased for $44.99. The liquid presents a dark copper color in the glass. Nose: The aroma consisted of honey and apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, a touch of caramel, and a hint of vanilla. Body: Smooth. Taste: The palate featured cinnamon, brown sugar, mild oak, and butter. Finish: The finish provided general spice, leading into honey and a whisper of oak. The duration is medium. Summary: This is a quality bourbon. It appears to have a richer character than my current bottle of regular 101 - more akin to the older version of 101 before its quality fluctuated in late 2024. This 8-year bourbon isn't remarkably superior to the standard offering, but I believe the price is reasonable for its quality. Rating: My personal scale has eight tiers, with 1 at the lowest. This whiskey receives a 6, which signifies 'Fine.' This is comparable to 3.75 stars, 75/100, or 7.5/10.

WT101 8 YR *APPEARANCE: Between 1.5 Auburn and 1.6 Mahogany with very slow moving legs. *NOSE: Dry Oak, Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal, Burnt Sugar Cookie, Creme Brûlée. The characteristic Wild Turkey Barnyard Funk is present, but in a supporting rather than primary role. *NEAT: Abundant Fall Spices. Led by Clove and followed by Cinnamon, Anise, Nutmeg, and Allspice. Sweet notes of Vanilla and Maple. There's Orange Oil and Peppery Spice, leading to a long, coating finish with Clove and Oak Spice. Nice coating, layered mouthfeel. A substantial Kentucky hug! This definitely drinks like its 101 proof. *SPLASH: Introduces Orange Peel and Cedar to the Nose. The Palate becomes slightly sweeter. Less Clove, More Cinnamon. This is also excellent with a large ice cube. *VERDICT: Very Good. I wish I had the regular 101 for a direct comparison. WT has transformed in recent years into a Clove Bomb, and this amplifies that significantly.

Nose: My sense of smell isn't the best. It's muted, with slight ethanol, frosting, and some orange peel. Nothing offensive, but nothing particularly remarkable. Palate: Orange peel and simple syrup. It almost drinks like a potent Old Fashioned with a heavy emphasis on orange peel and simple syrup. Finish: A touch of leather and tobacco appears in the finish. With subsequent sips, the finish integrates with the initial and mid-palate flavors. Overall, a very enjoyable pour. It has many qualities I appreciate in a bourbon. It's fruity, sweet, with added complexity towards the end. Another excellent value from Wild Turkey, which is typical for them, aside from some of their allocated products.