Wild Turkey Master's Keep Bottled in Bond 17 Year

I put off writing this assessment for a couple of reasons. I wanted to reserve something special for my 200th evaluation. When I first tried this, I experienced one of those moments of pure clarity you get with few spirits. It is among the most intricate spirits I have tasted, and to give it proper credit in a review, I needed to invest the time and truly get to know this drink, which meant several servings and allowing it to breathe; both in the bottle and in the glass. This bottle has been open for about a month now. I have had 6-7 servings of this and it's below the neck and the "Wild Turkey" embossed lettering. Does it meet the expectations? Good heavens, yes. Yes, it does. Before I go any further, know that this won't appeal to everyone. This isn't 101, Rare Breed, or even an adventurous RR store pick. This is something else completely. On the aroma, yes, there is a lot of cherry. I've found the longer the bottle is open, and if you allow the drink to sit in the glass for about an hour before consuming, the cherry lessens and permits a wide array of other flavors to emerge. So far, servings have revealed cinnamon, spearmint, brown sugar, vanilla, toffee, graham cracker, black tea, cola, Grenadine, baking chocolate, sweet oak, and aged leather books reminiscent of an old university library. This is far from a simple bourbon aroma. It was only after several hours over many tastings that I managed to distinguish those notes. It may be the most complex aroma I have encountered on any whiskey. This enters your palate remarkably smooth. After 17 years and at 50% ABV I was anticipating oak with a heavy dose of oak. While there is certainly a presence of oak, it is expertly blended with notes of caramel, vanilla, baking spices, root beer, clove, and less barrel tannins than one might expect. It has a less full body than RR SiB, but instead possesses a sweet and sour characteristic. Some refer to this as "umami", others call it the "Camp Nelson prickle", after the warehouse where it was aged. Regardless, it is a note I only detect in aged whiskies, and it is difficult to articulate. It must be experienced. The finish is very, very long; lasting several minutes. Gentle, warming, slightly numbing, and it fades away gradually, much like a great jam on a classic 70's rock record. At the very faded end, there is a hint of smoky spearmint to unify this incredible and intricate enigma of a bourbon. There is nothing comparable that I have tasted or will likely encounter anytime soon. It is bourbon elevated to a new level, uniquely sublime and captivating in its composure and construction. It will not satisfy everyone, but if you enjoy Turkey, and you are seeking something "extra", this is the ideal choice. Many reviews I have seen have complained about the $175 MSRP. Consider this, however. The BTAC has a few 17+ year offerings each year that command considerably more money. The same applies to the extra-aged offerings from Heaven Hill, such as the Parker's Heritage series. Michters 20 year is almost unattainable. I would say $150-$175 is indeed a reasonable price. Now that I have consumed this below the neck, I have placed it back in its delightful packaging for another 6-month rest to allow it to further oxidize. I suspect it will be even more enchanting after a break. If you find this, purchase it immediately without hesitation. A rare bourbon, and further confirmation that the individuals at Wild Turkey are true masters of their craft. Cheers!

The initial impression is that familiar Wild Turkey musty, complex smell. It's not damp or woody, but reminiscent of an old leather-bound book. Imagine the aroma of Rare Breed, but older, more musty, and intensified, with less ethanol. Beyond that, I detected delightful vanilla and apple blossoms. The flavor wasn't exactly all floral; rather, it evoked the scent of walking through an orchard, a blend of blossoms and apple skins. Finally, there was abundant oak. The aroma seems to expand and emerge from the glass, filling the space. The distinctive Wild Turkey musty aroma is prominently featured. Vanilla transitions to a spicier cherry note, akin to a cherry lozenge, followed by oak, then fading to a ripe red apple. Throughout, barrel char lingers subtly in the background, present enough to indicate significant barrel aging without being overpowering. The complexity of the taste is an engaging journey, showcasing the finest qualities Wild Turkey is known for, with the finish perhaps holding even greater promise. WARNING: Some might find the signature musty Wild Turkey note overwhelming. Devotees will feel they've waited a lifetime for this level in a bottle, while others might feel something was "slightly off." This bottling is intended for existing Wild Turkey enthusiasts, not for newcomers to their products. At 100 proof, this exceeds expectations and finishes like a barrel-proof offering. Not in terms of ethanol, but with a rich, warming, and enduring finish. My estimation is that it required minimal dilution to reach 100 proof. The richness is palpable, and any bitterness introduced by adding water is entirely absent—a significant positive! You'll find vanilla, cherry, a hint of clove, and nutmeg, enticing you to return for more! Overall—The bottle lives up to the anticipation. However, $175 is a substantial price for the experience. I make this observation annually upon the release of the WTMK series, believing much of the elevated cost is due to the ornate magnetic packaging. What truly pleased me with this release is that WT remained true to its core appeal. Instead, they refined their best, and careful aging elevated something superb to an even higher level! I feared it might be over-oaked and taste of damp wood, but that was not the case. The oak presence was perfectly balanced for a mature spirit, without being excessive. The subsequent evening, I conducted a comparative tasting with 17yr BiB, 17 Yr, Decades, and Revival. I excluded Cornerstone to ensure fairness, and here's my ranking: 1. 17 BiB 2. Revival (could have been a tie with Decades, but the rich, sweet, jammy sherry finish captivated me instantly) 3. Decades 4. 17yr—a distant fourth It will be challenging to displace this from contention for bourbon of the year.

Based on previous reviews, I haven't dedicated enough time for a thorough analysis, but here goes. I've sampled this three times, not just three pours, and compared it directly with a 10-year-old selection and another aged bottling. I also tasted it alongside Knob Creek 15 Year, which I'll review soon. I believe I have a good grasp of this one's general profile. Nose: The distinctive 'funky turkey' notes are immediately apparent. I dislike the term 'dusty' as it suggests a much older bottling, which this is not. I'm quite sure this originates from Camp Nelson, likely a favored rickhouse for Wild Turkey enthusiasts, and might not appeal to those who aren't fans. My feelings toward Wild Turkey are neutral; I enjoy them, but I don't view their 'off' notes as uniquely special. Alongside this funk, there's a wonderfully sweet aroma. Each swirl reveals something new: vanilla, crème brûlée, shoe polish, wood finish, and deep, sweet old oak, as well as deep, old, funky oak. It's complex and constantly evolving, never presenting the same way twice. Adding water brings out more spice, which is a surprisingly significant aspect of this spirit. Taste: On the first sip today, what stands out is the sheer number of layers rather than any single flavor. Initially, there's a nondescript sweetness, almost like corn sugar. Then, a richness emerges with more vanilla and subtle oak notes. You might think the finish is here, but it's not yet. Darker sweet notes appear, possibly chocolate and oak, followed by a sharp, surprising spice. Finally, the finish arrives with funky oak and well-aged vanilla. Water tends to mute the transitions, unifying the whisky more. With water, the oak gains a bit more bitterness and sourness, and the spice appears earlier before fading. Water significantly detracts from this whisky. Overall: Wild Turkey has crafted an excellent bottling here. They've produced a high-oak, high-sweetness expression of Wild Turkey without watering it down, unlike a Buffalo Trace product might be. I think devoted Turkey fans will appreciate this, but I doubt it will impress those not already partial to the brand. This is a specialized bottling showcasing a profile that the average bourbon drinker, regardless of experience, likely won't pay a premium for. This makes scoring challenging. The MSRP is $175, but many retailers charge over $200 (which is what I paid). Price isn't factored into the score, but it's worth mentioning. For a hardcore Turkey fan, this might be a 90 (4.0 stars), but for most others, it's around an 85 (3.25 stars). I'll settle on 3.5 stars. This review was completed after about 5-6 pours over four days. The bottle hasn't changed noticeably since opening, but this is one that might require six months to evolve.

Initial thoughts I’m a Wild Turkey enthusiast and wanted this bottle, but the early positive feedback made me worry about hype buyers snapping them up. As luck would have it, while getting gas at Costco, I saw few people in the lot and went inside for necessities before my local store is usually mobbed. Walking toward the entrance, I saw someone leaving with a bottle, asked if they had more, and fortunate for me, it was on the shelf for $139.99. I began my evening with a small sip of 101 to prime my taste buds. Then, onto the main event: Nose: Cherries, caramel, a hint of vanilla. The cherry profile appears consistent with other reviews, and I was quite surprised by how prominent it was for me. Palate: The cherry flavor returns, unmistakably. Some expected caramels, vanilla, and surprisingly mild oak for its age. The texture felt a bit thin for my preference. The finish was somewhat brief, with restrained oak, dryness, and tannins. After tasting this, I had to compare it with a Russell's Reserve pick from K&L. I had been planning to open it, so now seemed like the right time! The pick is from Camp Nelson, specifically #18-439, Camp Nelson A, Floor 4, at 55% ABV. This one has more of the typical Wild Turkey character, amplified. A touch of rye, pleasant caramel, and a rich, syrupy mouthfeel. Does the extra 10 proof make that much difference? I added a little water to equalize things, but for me, the pick is simply "more." More classic Wild Turkey, a thicker texture, a longer finish with less tannin. Those picks sell out for good reason. Final, preliminary neck pour impressions: I must admit I'm anticipating this will improve with time. The 17-year BiB is a distinctive product, and if you're a Wild Turkey fan, you'll likely want it. In terms of value, I got lucky; $139.99 is likely among the lowest prices you'll find. Is it worth it? If you're a Wild Turkey collector, you're unfortunately committed – it's a must-have due to its uniqueness. Not a devoted Turkey fan? Then I'd suggest not pursuing it. Stick to Russell's Reserve picks. Even in my situation, we're comparing $139 to $64.99 for the pick. If the BiB price were closer to the typical $169-$179, I'd say pass and opt for a Russell's Reserve pick. I will taste it again and provide an update. Revisit 8/20/22 - As promised, this really improved after about a month. It has ascended to special occasion pour status (though arguably it was there due to the price). This is a bottle to showcase Wild Turkey's potential. I'm increasing the score by half a point to 4.25.

By now, you likely are aware that most bourbon enthusiasts are enthusiastic about this release, so I am here to offer the viewpoint of a malt whisky drinker who seldom consumes anything from Kentucky apart from rye. Indeed, this bottle alone cost more than all the bourbon I have bought previously combined. I purchased it because I have long been fascinated by the "funky" term that I have heard associated with Wild Turkey, a flavor I connect with some of my preferred Springbank whiskies, and also because I was highly impressed by a sample of the renowned Cheesy Gold Foil Turkey that I recently had the chance to try. I acknowledge this is an unusual path into a distillery, similar to beginning one's exploration of Islay with Lord of the Isles and then going through the committee releases without first tasting the perfectly good standard range. My justification is that this bottle seemed to promise more of the flavors I find in a well-aged Scotch rather than those I associate with bourbon, such as buttery popcorn, and it did not require me to navigate a high proof. Fortunately, my hunches were correct. The aroma is divine and captivating. There is dark sugar, mint, clover honey, cherry, cinnamon and ginger, all sprinkled with a tiny pepper spice that pulses rhythmically between each of the competing flavors. There is spice at the beginning of each sip, then tea, a dash of cherry, the dissolved sugar at the bottom of the teacup, even something savory like chopped liver. Each mouthful is distinct, though the oak spice is always noticeable. And let's address what it's not - it's not excessively sweet, there is no butter, and thankfully, no buttery popcorn. The finish is drying with caramel drizzle, more tea, ginger and another hint of cherry. This is truly complex and more than sufficient to satisfy a bourbon-curious malt whisky drinker. The only letdown was the lack of any umami/mushroom notes that I associate with the word "funky". If anyone knows of a Wild Turkey that fits that description, please share!

Initial thoughts - served at a bar, supposedly opened 1-2 months ago and nearly empty. I have doubts given my experience with a 2016 Four Roses Limited from a similarly depleted bottle. Nose: abundant old wood, allspice, very ripe banana, leather, caramel, pound cake, and wood polish. Taste: Heat develops rapidly but peaks early at a medium level. Texture is thin. Initial sweetness like candy cigarettes leads into an intriguing spice blend, then wood, bananas, cherry medicine, fruity funk, and leather. The aftertaste is of moderate length. They suggest avoiding heroes. Perhaps my understanding of this brand is lacking. This bears no resemblance to Rare Breed or Russel’s Reserve, which I consider excellent for their weight, and fruity/spicy complexity. This tastes ancient - antique. Not like Old Weller “Antique,” but aged like potpourri, polish. It has an old-fashioned toothpaste quality. Ancient. And that may be its charm. I'm not fond of the wood polish and overripe banana notes prominent in Sam Houston 14 or Calumet 14. The sweetness of candy cigarettes, bubblegum, and mint toothpaste isn't my preference, though the closest comparison is Bardstown Bourbon Co Discovery 3 (which includes a component over 12 years old from this distillery). It's distinctive. I haven't encountered "dusty" from this distillery before, but it evokes memories of my grandparents' attic. The scent of furniture in the warmth, floral hints, bubblegum and sweets in my pocket... and abundant dust. Perhaps this bottle represents an older, simpler era and setting.