Wild Turkey Rare Breed Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Rich oak notes on the nose give way to caramel, honey, chocolate with hints of floral and fruit notes. Warm butterscotch and vanilla on the palette and a finish of fruit, spices and lingering caramel sweetness. The intense vanilla and exceptional mouthfeel have made this Wild Turkey expression a legend in its own right.

• Distillery: Wild Turkey
• Type: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
  
• Region: Kentucky, USA
  
• Alcohol: 58.4%
  
• Volume: 700ml
  
• Other: Small batch Barrel Proof Bourbon
• Goes with: Neat or over ice
  

The bold spirit of Wild Turkey is faithfully represented in every drop of this authentic barrel proof whiskey—the original “small batch” barrel proof bourbon. A blend of Wild Turkey's finest selection of 6, 8 and 12-year bourbon, no water is added before bottling, for a curated sipping experience like drinking straight from the cask.

An outstanding Kentucky Straight Bourbon from Wild Turkey that will impress any bourbon aficionado. Great bourbon gift. Buy here in our online liquor store and get delivered direct to your door.

Wild Turkey was founded in 1869 on the picturesque Wild Turkey Hill in Lawrenceberg, Kentucky, by the enterprising Ripy brothers. Just a year later, the distribution of their bourbon saw a significant leap forward when it began being packaged in charming jugs, a notable improvement over shipping entire barrels.

The whiskey crafted by the Ripy brothers quickly became a beloved favourite, earning high acclaim. In 1893, their exceptional bourbon was chosen to represent Kentucky at the World’s Fair, a testament to its outstanding quality.

The distillery faced a temporary closure in 1919 due to US Prohibition, but the story didn’t end there. With the repeal of Prohibition in 1933, the Ripy distillery was lovingly restored and resumed its operations. A delightful twist to its tale came in 1940 when Thomas McCarthy, a distillery executive, brought some of his whiskey on a wild turkey hunt. His friends were so enchanted by it that they insisted he bring more of that marvellous ‘Wild Turkey’ bourbon on future hunts. The name, as if by magic, stuck.

In 1971, the Ripy brothers’ legacy was carried forward when the distillery was acquired by the Austin Nichols Distilling Company, which later joined the prestigious Pernod Ricard family in 1980. This union ushered in a new era of vast infrastructure and an impressive distribution network, propelling Wild Turkey to greater heights. Despite a setback on 9th May 2000, when a fire destroyed one of the warehouses and led to a tragic loss of maturing whiskey into the Kentucky River, the brand demonstrated resilience. Wild Turkey paid the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife $256,000 to help restore the local ecosystem, reaffirming their commitment to goodwill.

The Wild Turkey distillery stands out with its standard bottling at a bold 101 proof, significantly higher than the typical 80 proof. This spirited bourbon has inspired a host of playful nicknames, including ‘The Dirty Bird’, ‘The Kickin’ Chicken’, and the whimsically absurd ‘Thunder Chicken’. Today, the brand thrives under the ownership of the Campari Group, who embraced this storied bourbon in 2009, continuing its enchanting legacy.

• Double Gold - 2016 San Francisco World Spirits Competition
• Gold - 2021 Beverage Tasting Institute
• Gold - 2021 San Francisco World Spirits Competition
• Gold - 2020 New York International Spirits Competition
• 94/100 Points - 2021 Ultimate Spirits Challenge