Wild Turkey Master's Keep Revival

This is incredibly smooth, featuring notes that are both sweet and bitter, with a tart quality. The bitterness might suggest a high alcohol content, but the smoothness contradicts this. The aroma carries some unexpected tomato elements. It has a notably drying effect. The surprising smoothness for its high alcohol content is a pleasant discovery; however, with a lower alcohol percentage, the bitterness might have been less pronounced. It begins with unsweetened dark chocolate and wood, reminiscent of Glenfarclas 25 and Jollite VSOP. Eventually, the wood yields to some sweetness, vanilla, and hints of fruit (perhaps strawberry?). The full flavor profile offers intriguing subtleties for careful observers, and despite being in sharp contrast, the vanilla and fruit notes achieve good balance. The finish is clean, and the overall experience possesses adequate depth. I would have preferred more sweetness, fruit, and vanilla, and perhaps a touch more smoke, but it's a solid bourbon. In contrast to Colonel E.H. Taylor Small Batch, this bourbon aligns better with my preferences, so the rating difference between them should reflect a stronger endorsement of Wild Turkey Master's Keep Revival than it appears. When compared to Glengoyne 15, a standard Scotch, this spirit exhibits greater depth and complexity, though I find its flavor less appealing. The Glengoyne's finish has a bit too much bitterness, but its rich fruitiness is quite satisfying. The comparison is challenging, so this note simply means neither vastly outperforms the other. I find myself wishing this were a Cognac. It evokes Stagg Jr, but is noticeably superior. Under the right conditions, wood, cinnamon, and red fruit notes emerge with vanilla, without the wood and cinnamon overpowering everything. I would still prefer less wood and cinnamon, but when they don't dominate, it's enjoyable. Immediately, wood and cinnamon command attention. Soon after, caramel enters, followed by the wood receding into smoke. Red fruit is present, but not to the degree expected from Sherry casks. Vanilla is clearly discernible as well. However, the harsh cinnamon is the primary flavor. Removing it would result in a more intriguing and pleasant whiskey. The spiciness and fruitiness are similar to Remy Martin 1738, but the spice is more prominent and the fruit is less so. Overall, it's excessively spicy due to the cinnamon and a bit too woody, even at its best. It's sweeter than Stagg Jr, but the spice and wood are dominant. It lacks the depth of Knob Creek Single Barrel. The sweet notes are wonderful when they appear, but they are infrequent. Woodiness is so strong it suggests floor polish. Beyond that, there are hints of fruit and vanilla, along with the evident spicy notes. The woodiness is truly excessive; it lacks the subtle complexity found in Glenfarclas 25. Compared to Glenfarclas 25, the wood is too intense, and the supporting flavors are not refined enough. For its cost, this is a very disappointing beverage. I would choose Old Forester Signature over this. You can discern the age from the rich wood, but there isn't significant variation. If you really strain to find it, there's something there, but it's almost imperceptible. The wood flavor is harsh, but at least it doesn't have an overwhelming cinnamon component. The woodiness strongly brings to mind Jollite VSOP and Glenfarclas 25. Old Forester Signature offers more character, though it also has more of that undesirable mineral taste. Compared to Jim Beam Black, this presents a deeper, woodier experience, but it's also hampered by an overly woody flavor that resembles floor polish. Revisiting it after several months, the aroma is intensely tannic from the wood in a pleasantly rich manner. There's a subtle hint of butterscotch and cherry combined with damp wood in the nose. The palate is very rich, perhaps a touch too astringent, with significant spice. It certainly tastes very mature. The dark cherry flavor imparts a pleasant fruity sweetness. There's a strong hit of black pepper spice, along with some herbal notes and a hint of numbing clove. It reminds me somewhat of Glenfarclas, and that realization makes it click. There's considerable richness and a good deal of complexity, with raisins appearing alongside cocoa and a hint of cola, but I'm uncertain if it's what I seek in a bourbon, particularly at this price. Leather is a dominant flavor, accompanied by some rye spice. It's an excellent drink, though it's essentially a fruitier Glenfarclas at a very high price. There's substantial richness and a lot happening with good balance. I would be pleased to consume this, but it falls short of being a benchmark. Compared to Russell's Reserve Single Barrel, this offers more richness, less sweetness, and less fruit. It's slightly better, but not remarkably so. Importantly, the taste is quite different, but for the same price, one could acquire Russell's Reserve Single Barrel and Glenfarclas 17 and likely be more satisfied. This is approximately 17-18 years old. It's more assertive than Glenfarclas (somehow), and while quite tasty, it leans so heavily into the tannic leather profile that it's difficult to bring into balance. The author's username has been removed.

I didn't give this one the proper attention after my last review. Perhaps it's COVID fatigue. Or perhaps I was simply more eager to drink it than to write about it then. In any case, it's a remarkable, rare whiskey that merits high praise, and I intend to do it justice as we finish the bottle (yes, it was consumed quickly...) Wild Turkey, especially well-aged Turkey (which is most of it, excluding the 81 proof entry-level expressions), possesses a distinct "dusty" characteristic. This is likely due to corn influence, somewhat similar to Canadian whisky, but unlike many (though not all) Canadian whiskies, it is magnificent rather than unpalatable. This particular bottle, aged 12-15 years, exhibits this quality abundantly. It embodies everything you appreciate about Rare Breed or Russell's Reserve Single Barrel (your preference; both are excellent), amplified and refined. Now, imagine all that enveloped in a luxurious sherry embrace. The casks used for this expression were over 20 years old sherry casks, not the "sherry seasoned" products we see from Highland Park or Macallan that only held sherry for 3 or 4 years. The difference is evident. Quality is paramount. This rivals the quality of older Glendronach or Tamdhu sherry casks. Therefore, the aroma is that of perfectly aged, wonderfully dusty Turkey wrapped in a sherry blanket. It represents the pinnacle of both bourbon and scotch worlds. Upon sipping, it is exceptionally good. You experience the same profile as the aroma, which in my opinion, is indicative of a quality whiskey when the aroma and palate align. While an unexpected twist can be acceptable, this is simply magnificent. The taste includes all the caramel, vanilla, brown sugar, chai spice, and baking spices characteristic of bourbon, enhanced by the finest sherry flavors like dates, raisins, nuttiness, and a warming sensation that, combined with the "Kentucky Hug," provides a deeply satisfying finish. This is serious quality. I am aware that this was a special 2018 release and may be scarce on store shelves. To fully appreciate it, one likely needs to be a Wild Turkey enthusiast AND a fan of sherry bombs. If not, you might be underwhelmed (in which case, I suggest the equally excellent Masters Keep option from 2020, the Bottled in Bond). However, if you enjoy both types of drams, continue your search for this one. I am actively seeking another bottle. It is that good. The suggested retail price should be between $130 and $150. Worth. Every. Penny. It is among the finest whiskies I have sampled across any category. If you enjoyed Legent or the Belle Meade Sherry Cask, this surpasses them. Unequivocally. It is older, more refined, more flavorful, and offers a deeper, more satisfying finish. Indulge in it, and if you are fortunate enough to still find this available, purchase it immediately without hesitation. Cheers, friends!

Immense. Unbelievable depth. Nutty notes. Stale peanut brittle. Fresh, dry roasted hazelnuts, almonds, pecans, and Brazils. Raisins, figs, prunes, chocolate, vanilla, dates, rye, barley, barrel char. A flawless blend of dry and sweet, dark red grapes, sour cherries and artificial cherries, fresh and dried fruits, rich oaky butterscotch from the 20 year old sherry, which also imparts a tannic, drying mouth-feel. Makes the mouth water. Plums, red and black liquorice. Sherry hits first, met with bourbon and more sherry in the middle, somewhat leaning towards bourbon but finishing with more sherry. Sherry and barrel spice remain on the aftertaste. The casks and barrels were expertly combined, it's neither sherry nor bourbon dominant overall, it's very well integrated, and not at all over-oaked. There are many different notes very close together, yet all are distinct. Medium entry, long middle, and a medium-long finish. High quality, very satisfying, and certainly one-of-a-kind. A new experience. A huge whisky that is sure to get a reaction one way or another! Considering the cost of 20 year old sherry casks...at $147.95, this is a bargain. I'd pay up to $225 for a rare experience like this. Don't approach it as a bourbon or a sherried whisky...embrace it as something new and unique, and enjoy the wild ride! Note: review edited...the somewhat seemingly conflicted notes that didn't seem to fully harmonize at first, have come together wonderfully now. Drinking very nice 4 months in. Give it time, you'll be rewarded.

My wife and I went out for lunch (tacos, specifically) for the first time in a while, and she mentioned we were celebrating. I assumed it was about her job or something similar, but on asking, she said celebrating making it through another week of this COVID situation was reason enough. I knew I'd chosen well:). Back home, I opened this bottle, usually reserved for special moments. But these are challenging times. We only live once. Let's address the question on your mind. Yes, it surpasses the Belle Meade Sherry Cask, which I thoroughly enjoyed. This offering is richer, deeper, and more mature. The aroma presents the scent of aged, dusty turkey combined with the most profound, rich sherry cask aroma I recall from older sherry bomb scotches. I find that musty leather scent in both aged sherry and aged bourbon appealing, and this skillfully blends it. The taste is fruity and buttery, with undertones of rich brown sugar and vanilla, concluding with a dry, warming sensation that's akin to, but sweeter than, Glendronach 18. The world is in turmoil. Enjoy a bottle you cherish. If you've been saving something for a special occasion, the time is now. Cheers.

I've seen outstanding reviews for this on various platforms and was eager to try it. My bottle cost around $130 from Total Wine. The packaging and bottle presentation are impressive. Poured neat, the aroma offers the familiar dusty spice of Turkey, now enveloped in a velvety layer of rich aged sherry. It evokes images of library dust bunnies, old saddles, museum halls, vintage newspapers, and a seasoned woodpile, alongside wine-soaked linens. The palate is dense and full-bodied, with heavy dark fruits, caramel, leather, and spices. Barrel char and white pepper emerge to balance the sweetness and add character. The finish is long, with drying barrel oak and leather, accompanied by sherried fruits, dusty spice, and some burnt caramel. This is undoubtedly a special whiskey. At $130, it certainly should be. Personally, I find the white pepper slightly too prominent for a top-tier rating. I appreciate the quality and deep, succulent aged flavors enough for an A-level ranking, but I honestly wouldn't repurchase it at this price point. My score is 91/100. At $80-90, I'd be interested.

Undoubtedly the finest creation from Wild Turkey. Aroma: cherry, vanilla, oak, bready, jam, pie crust. There might be a slight medicinal note, though I perceive it more as a jam characteristic. Taste: begins sweet and fruity with jams and dark fruits. It then transitions to a nutty profile, almost like Beam's nuttiness. Finally, it reverts, delivering that signature Wild Turkey oaky finish. This bottle has been open for approximately 8 months and is just under half full. It's a great bourbon. Not exceptional, as it's only 13 years old, and I don't consider Wild Turkey a premium bourbon brand. However, the sherry finish effectively masks some of Wild Turkey's less refined flavor notes. I would purchase another bottle in the $130 range, but I believe that opportunity has passed. If you appreciate sherry-finished bourbon, this is a must-buy, even at a premium price. If sherry bourbon isn't your preference, BUT this price point is within your budget and you don't mind sherry notes in your bourbon, I would still consider this one.