Finding good bourbon can be such a chore. If you’re seeking a rare bottle, you could be doing anything from paying 5-10x market price or chasing trucks to deliveries. While many of these bourbons are incredible, you don’t need a 10 year old bottle of Pappy to make a great drink. In fact, one of the best cocktail / sipping bourbons is probably sitting on you liquor store shelf waiting for you to take it home – since even before the taters went nuts. The one, the only, Wild Turkey 101.
Wild Turkey 101
Sight: Primarily russet in color, but leaning into tawny.
Smell: Notes of brown sugar, toasted oak, and spice waft out of the glass. Touches of vanilla and toffee mixed with nuts join in. They’re followed by touches of polished leather, a hint of heat, and a touch of cereal. The nose is well layered and rotates the notes adding complexity.
Sip: There’s a prickle of heat that builds as you go, but the start is very smooth and full bodied. Elements of spice begin to build, adding in toasted oak and caramelized sugar. Hints of char and light caramel join in with a touch of tobacco. The full experience is spicy, woody, and layered.
Savor: The finish carries through notes of caramelized malt and cereal layered with peppery spices. The finish lingers well, giving a hint of oak and vanilla as it extends.
Wild Turkey 101 is well balanced, full flavored, and layered in it’s complexity. The start is smooth, toasted and caramelized without being sweet. The elements of spice, nuts, and subtle cigar box notes build as it opens up. The finish carries this though, keeping it’s smooth character and building in a toffee-oaked combination that makes it inviting.
In Cocktails
One of the tricks you can use to help bring up the flavor of a cocktail is to use a higher proof spirit. If you use too much, and you risk overwhelming the drink. Wild Turkey 101 sits in the perfect spot where you can use the full amount of Wild Turkey and not worry about the drink becoming to spiritous or losing any of the elements. In a Manhattan, it is a rock star, giving spicy and toffee like notes that compliment the fruitiness and sweet notes of the vermouth. It works just as well for crafting or in simple drinks like an Old Fashioned – lending flavor without overwhelming the other elements.
Wild Turkey 101 Overall
Wild Turkey 101 is absolutely stellar. The additional proof gives it the body to stand up beautifully in cocktails. The juice itself is well balanced, not overwhelming, smooth, and loaded with flavor. When you throw in the price point and availability, Wild Turkey is an absolute steal. For all these reasons, we’ve add Wild Turkey 101 to our list of Recommended Bottles for Starting a Home Bar.
Looking for a drink to make with Wild Turkey 101? Check out our Cocktail List for Originals and Classics.
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