Wild Turkey Master's Keep 17 Year

Standard dark orange color. The aroma is great, with abundant oak, plenty of vanilla, more oak, and a healthy amount of spice, vanilla, oak, and caramel, perhaps with a hint of cherries. I noted the oak in the aroma, but it's not overwhelming; the balance is nearly perfect, and the vanilla character is exceptional. The taste emphasizes the spice more than the aroma suggested, but the oak and vanilla are still very present, along with more typical caramel corn notes. The mouthfeel is surprisingly light; the lower proof keeps it accessible (perhaps too low? But the complexity compensates, in my opinion). Overall, this is fantastic, though a little expensive. Definitely worth a taste at this bar, though I'm unsure if the bottle price is justified, but the resale price is astronomical. Still, it's quite remarkable... Beer Enthusiast Thoughts: My initial impression is that Wild Turkey's distinct characteristics, like its lower initial proof, would lend themselves well to interesting bourbon barrel-aged beers. However, in my experience, beers aged in Wild Turkey barrels have been somewhat underwhelming. Anderson Valley supposedly exclusively uses Wild Turkey barrels for their program, but while Huge Arker was good, it's not truly top-tier (and their other offerings aren't quite at that level either – often exhibiting a surprisingly faint bourbon barrel presence). A local favorite, Neshaminy Creek, has utilized Wild Turkey barrels a few times. I haven't tried the barleywine, but their first BBA Leon was a mediocre effort (likewise, the second vintage, which used Buffalo Trace barrels – I suspect the base beer is the primary factor, or possibly the brewing process). Wild Turkey is certainly a component in many BBA blends, including BCBS, which are undoubtedly excellent. BCBS had a sort of covert single barrel release a few years ago, and Wild Turkey expressions were well-received, but I missed out on that trend. The 17-year Masters Keep barrels would be exceptional for barrel-aging beer, but to my knowledge, they haven't been explicitly used for that purpose (and frankly, even if I owned a bottle, it's too costly for home brewing)...

On the nose, a prolonged triumph of candied fruit and caramel; I detect a considerable amount of alcohol even though the alcohol content isn't very high. On the palate, the best part: consistently candied fruit, but also macerated fruit and brown sugar, slightly sweet, flooding your mouth with enjoyment. A bitter and not very long finish. A bourbon I can't call complex because I don't find endless aromas like some do, but it has fantastic balance: you can truly drink it any time of day or night! An excellent drink that nonetheless doesn't reach perfection, because the finish is anything but unforgettable. At this point, I ABSOLUTELY must try the other Master's Keeps in the range....

Nose: A delightful blend of cherry and apple pie... and I'm completely on board. A clear oak presence, some vanilla, caramel, almond, with hardly any astringency. Palate: Further red fruit notes emerge, coating the mouth very well, with prominent oak. It's evident this has spent considerable time in a barrel. A slightly oily consistency, with a texture akin to heavy cream. Finish: Exquisite for a bottled-in-bond expression. A genuine Kentucky warmth that persists. I am new to bourbon and acknowledge my palate is still developing and requires more experience with other high-quality, hard-to-find bourbons, but to date, this is unequivocally the finest bourbon I have ever tasted. I would rate it a perfect 5 out of 5, but I hold out hope that something superior exists.

Consumed neat. From the neck pour. An incredible aroma. Oak and vanilla. Cream and berries. Cherries. A hint of pepper. Cinnamon. I could spend an hour just enjoying the scent. Has a thicker texture on the palate than I anticipated for 86 proof. Vanilla and cinnamon coat the entire tongue. It hits you with spiciness, then echoes all the aromas from the nose. Oak. Berries and cream. Cherry. It's remarkably oily (the legs are the thickest I've ever observed) and thoroughly coats the entire mouth and throat. Because of this, the flavors are actually amplified on the finish and persist for a very extended duration. This is the quintessential Wild Turkey experience. Absolutely astounding.

Pronounced orange on the aroma and initial taste, followed by a wave of smokiness... was it bitter smoke? A sharp smoke? I appreciate a peaty scotch, but the smoke here was somewhat jarring and off-putting initially. I'm uncertain of my feelings towards it, as it seems to overshadow many of the other characteristics. I wanted to enjoy this one considerably more than I did. It's certainly not bad, but perhaps just a bit too "stale" or flat for my preference. Which, I suppose, aligns with what I've heard about some of the more mature bourbons.

Without a doubt, this is the least pleasing Master's Keep bottling I've had. The aroma is somewhat muted with a strong scent of Oak, nutmeg, and allspice. Oak reappears on the palate alongside faint traces of caramel and orange zest. The lower alcohol content contributes to a thin texture and a brief finish. While it's good, I must reiterate it's my least preferred MK.