Wild Turkey Master's Keep Voyage

I acquired this bottle through a "right-to-buy" lottery, and while still quite expensive, it served as an excellent item for a group purchase and tasting. This offers one of the top ten, possibly top five, aromas in my extensive, though not expert, whiskey drinking experience. It's lively and vibrant from the initial sniff, showcasing ample rum barrel influences that subtly shift with deeper inhalation. It presents a multitude of tropical fruits, including orange, passion fruit, berries, and banana-like esters. Underneath the rum barrel notes lies an impressive base whiskey, rich with caramel, vanilla, and an extremely inviting character. Notably, adding water doesn't significantly enhance its complexity, but such an addition is entirely unnecessary for this delightful pour. The flavor is less intense than expected, but in an agreeable, accessible way (though one might see its 'ease' of drinking as a drawback). I'd argue the rum barrel is more prominent on the palate than the nose, and I detect a 'rum and coke' characteristic with cola-like notes. It's a very sweet drink, but it feels authentic, with sufficient caramel, vanilla, and light wood notes to confirm its bourbon identity. It's dessert-like, with hints of vanilla bon-bons and chocolate-covered cherries. The finish is light and airy, yet enduring. I detect new notes of molasses and pineapple (seriously) on the finish. An astonishing pour that I approached with significant doubt. I paid more than the MSRP, but I would gladly pay that price again to have a fresh bottle on hand...

Nose: Reminiscent of rum raisin and fruitcake, like the Tortuga Rum cakes sampled or purchased on vacation. The aroma is rich and decadent without being excessively sweet, exploding from the glass. A vanilla cream base underlies notes of egg custard. Palate: Sweet upon entry and slightly syrupy, with brown sugar notes. The bourbon then truly shines through the rum, revealing caramel corn, a touch of nutmeg, and some heat. While not overtly funky like WT, there's enough to indicate that WT and Appleton Rum are an excellent combination. Finish: A pleasant, long, warming finish. I'm left with rum cake and a nice aged smoke note. The sweetness balances the 106 proof. Overall: Unequivocally the BEST rum-finished whiskey I've sampled. Bourbon enthusiasts might find its sweetness off-putting, and rum aficionados might question the entry heat. However, for those who appreciate both rum and bourbon and desire a sweeter after-dinner drink, this is perfect. It would be among my top five whiskies if I had to choose. The balance between bourbon and rum is remarkably well-executed, a triumph by The Russell's and Joy Spence. I withheld a perfect score due to the exorbitant price and the potential sweetness barrier for some. Excluding those factors, it's a flawless 5 out of 5. Trading a Stagg Jr and a Weller Full Proof for it made me feel like a significant winner.

Nose: spice for baking, caramel, vanilla, a hint of fruit (green apple?), faint chocolate, scorched caramel, plum, and dry pine needles. Body: Slightly slick and coating. Medium. Palate: chocolate, baking spices, cardamom, vanilla. Finish: A lengthy, sweet conclusion with a sweet spiciness and a lingering dry pine. Truly remarkable. Comment: a recommended purchase from Jared. This was shared alongside Highland Park 30, THH, Old Fitz 10, Yamazaki 12, and many others. It possesses considerable complexity. Spicy and sweet. The spice component is intricate, featuring various elements rather than typical cinnamon; think more along the lines of baking spices. Quite intriguing. Comforting. Delightful. I find this to be an exceptionally engaging dram with many layers, yet it's smooth and delicious.

The distinct character of Wild Turkey harmonizes perfectly with the influence of the rum cask. Nose: Molasses, pineapples, passion fruit, chocolate chip banana bread, caramel, Luxardo cherries, guava, raspberry cola. Palate: Caramel, bananas, Luxardo cherries, raspberries, bananas, passion fruit, strawberries, vanilla, rum raisins. Finish: Bananas, raspberries, honey, molasses, treacle, chocolate chip banana bread, leather, mint chocolate, caramel, pineapples, ginger.

An incredibly easy-drinking pour. Nose: butterscotch candy and a whisper of brown sugar on raisin bread. 🫡 Palate: vanilla, butterscotch, and boozy raisins. Not a single harsh note in this pour. Perfectly balanced. Outstanding!! Overall: At 106 proof, I believe this is hands-down the best rum-finished whiskey I've ever had. If you share this with whiskey buddies, be cautious, as it can disappear quickly lol.

The aroma shows a clear combination of bourbon and rum; you get rich caramel and oak mingled with tropical fruits such as pineapple, vanilla, cherry cola, and a hint of smoke. The palate closely mirrors the nose. Vanilla, allspice, oak, and citrus are present. The finish is smooth and lengthy with a surge of warmth. Superb.