Wild Turkey 101 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey 8 Year Review

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Wild Turkey 101 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey 8 Year Review.




    For years, Wild Turkey’s 8 Year bourbon was a bottle you’d hear about but rarely see stateside, unless you were willing to hunt one down overseas or pay import fees. That changed in late 2024 when Wild Turkey released their 70th anniversary bottling, an 8-year bourbon, and hinted that a permanent version was coming. Sure enough, it’s finally here on U.S. shelves. Stock moves fast, but knowing this is a regular release should keep the panic buying in check. As a big fan of the standard 101, I was curious to see how a bit of extra age would shape the flavor.

    This release keeps the classic Wild Turkey mash bill but the big change here is the 8-year age statement, which adds some maturity without altering the brand’s core character. It’s still non-chill filtered, still proudly Kentucky straight bourbon, but with a deeper oak influence.


For the full video review visit the link here: https://youtu.be/lBWqSPB6lDg.

Age Statement: 8 Years.

ABV: 50.5%.

Mash bill: 73% corn, 13% rye, and 12% malted barley.

Area of Distillation: Lawrenceburg, Kentucky.

Appearance: Golden amber.


On the nose:
    Familiar Wild Turkey from the first swirl, sweet, buttery corn, butterscotch, and brown sugar with a faint waxy note. The rye offers a gentle herbal lift, while the malted barley rounds things out with a touch of earthiness. Oak is more present than in the standard 101, and a bright hint of candied lemon peel adds a citrus sparkle. Vanilla, caramel, and warm brown sugars tie it together.


Taste:
    Rich and balanced, with oak, vanilla, and caramel leading. The rye brings a soft herbal note alongside baking spices like cinnamon and clove. That candied lemon character reappears, adding brightness to the otherwise warm, sweet profile. The mouthfeel has a touch of viscosity, giving the sip more presence without becoming heavy.


Finish:
    Medium in length, fading with peppery spice, lingering caramel, and a final echo of oak. Clean and mature, with no harsh edges or off-notes.


Final Thoughts:
    Wild Turkey 8 Year delivers exactly what it promises: a classic bourbon profile with a little more oak-driven depth and maturity than the standard 101. It doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it doesn’t need to, it’s dependable, flavorful, and versatile enough to enjoy neat or in a cocktail. It’s an easy B in my book and a bottle I’m happy to keep on the shelf. Here’s hoping this release paves the way for more age-stated Wild Turkey in the U.S., especially that elusive 12-year.


Rating: B (Above average).

Cost: $42.99 for 750ml.

For the full video review visit the link here: https://youtu.be/lBWqSPB6lDg.

Social platforms to follow me: https://linktr.ee/thelastcallyt

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