Wild Turkey Distiller's Reserve 13 Year

Nose: Wood, gentle blooms, and vanilla. Mint, deep cherries, and subtle seasonings. Ethanol is apparent initially, but a splash of water lessens it. Palate: A warm greeting with wintergreen, clove, and anise. The fiery start quickly subsides, and the feel is decent, not stellar. A sharp cherry taste lingers, with a mineral-like, fragile quality present throughout. Finish: Average length. Pungent grains and tart cherry. An acceptable spirit with minimal evolution. The aroma is composed yet subdued; the taste even more so. Nothing offensive, but while it's vibrant and distinct (and clearly skillfully made), it felt incomplete to me. The aroma benefited from a bit of water, becoming broader and richer, but the spicy tastes on the tongue were amplified equally by thinning, leading to imbalance. Ultimately, it wasn't to my preference, and I wouldn't purchase it, but that's my individual taste. For the cost of this bottle, you could get two bottles of Wild Turkey 86.8 proof bourbon and still afford a quality meal and a large craft beer. A superior value, in my opinion. "Average": 78/100 (2.75 stars)

Nose - Rich cinnamon, oaky caramel/toffee, toasted vanilla sugar. Taste - Oily, spicy cinnamon, light oaky vanilla, dark caramel/toffee, toasted brulee crust, dark chocolate, light dark cherry sweetness. Finish - Lingering cinnamon tingle, light oaky caramel/toffee, dark chocolate, lightly tannic, slight dark cherry sweetness at the end. Score - 92/100 Final Thoughts - This is a truly remarkable bourbon. Not overly complex, but what's present is amazingly well-balanced and quite delicious. No off-putting notes, a great nose, oaky but not excessively tannic/drying. Would I drink it if offered? - Yes Would I specifically order it? - Yes Would I buy a bottle? - Yes

Nose- Floral wildflowers, rich caramel, spiced oak, maple syrup, vanilla bean Palate- Initial wave of baking spices, followed by notes of charred oak, black pepper, caramel, nutmeg, and a hint of maple syrup Finish- Medium, spicy finish with notes of charred oak, baking spices, and black pepper An amazing nose. A beautiful blend of herbal notes, sweetness, and aged oak. Sadly, this is the whisky's strongest point. The palate is unremarkable, focusing on spices and black pepper. A touch of maple syrup sweetness emerges, along with charred oak, but spice dominates the first taste and the finish.

What an absolute treasure and a pity to finish. Despite its lower proof, this dram held its own neat, with a few drops of water, or even an ice chip. The nose offered a blended profile of clove, pepper, floral notes, and leather, along with vanilla/caramel. It had a well-rounded, creamy texture and flavors similar to the aroma, plus baking and barrel spices. The finish is moderately long. I regret finishing this one.

A subtle aroma, as one might expect at this proof, with a soapy quality. It evolves after a short while. The taste profile leans towards what is popular in Japan; it's gentle but intricate. Hints of flowers and a touch of spice lead to a lingering finish. It's mellow but packed with taste, reminiscent of a diluted Master's Keep 17. Tasting this at full proof would be a treat. 11/8/19

An excellent high-rye bourbon from Wild Turkey, it presents with a rye-like nose and a caramel-forward taste. The rye returns in the finish, making the entire experience rich, complex, and compels you to have more. The lower alcohol content might slightly diminish the finish but enhances the nose, which I prefer in this instance. Give it a try!