Wild Turkey 101 12 Year (Cheesy Gold Foil)

I so much hate doing this. Just a few days ago when I declared the 2022 Russel’s Reserve 13 as my all time favorite bourbon, it got quickly replaced by this one. The RR13 is not in the same league as this. In fact, not a single bourbon I’ve ever had is in the same league as this. I went to a Diwali party last night, where the host had an outdoor table set up. On the side, he had an open bar with a few bottles of wine, and some standard single malts ( Lag 16, Amrut , John Paul, Balvenie, Talisker 10). Nothing we haven’t seen in the middle shelf of a wine and spirits store. But instead, on the way to the kitchen, I noticed there were some exquisite bottles in his home bar. There, I noticed some rarities, all unopened, except this and a Balvenie 25. Afterwards I asked him about this one in particular and what his thoughts were on it. Instead, he asked me for my thoughts on it, and offered a generous 2 ounce pour. This is unlike any bourbon I’ve had. The nose is pipe tobacco, oak, and a musty funk that I would associate with a Hampden rum or even a Springbank. I’ve not had this funk-style aroma in bourbon. Taste——wow. Oily mouthfeel. Sweet icing, vanilla, floral honey. But…there’s that musty funk again. Like old library books. Last time I had something like this was in a 51yr Craigellechie. This is not normal for a bourbon. In fact, outside some very old single malts, it’s just not normal. I’ve had hundreds of bourbons so far, out of which I can count on one hand which are ingrained in my memory: Garrison Cowboy, 2014 Four Roses LESB, RR13 2022. This outmatches all of the. (Granted I’ve not had Pappy or any BTAC) I don’t have the slightest idea what this cost, but I imagine secondary only at this point, and I’m guessing $500 or so. A stunner of a bourbon, easily best in class and top 3 in category

I don’t drink much bourbon and wouldn’t know a Wild Turkey if it bit me on the ass, but this legendary bottling from the 1980s is wonderful. There’s a narrow set of flavors that I like in bourbon along with several that I don’t and this one hits the bullseye. The nose is a glorious mix of cherry and polished rosewood. There’s a brief and bonkers hit of funky cheese grits on the first sip and then a seamless segue into brown sugar and cinnamon that lingers for hours. I was reveling in the aftertaste of this until bedtime. And as I mentioned, it’s all the better for what it doesn’t taste of: no corn, cream, vanilla or white sugar. This is as good as any Pappy I’ve had and delivers as much flavor as a WL Weller at a far more palatable proof. I don’t think I could ever declare a Scotch perfect given how complex the category is, but in the narrow spectrum of flavors that define bourbon this is as good as it gets.

1990 101 proof Nose- old, dusty books; old leather; sweet mango; caramel; vanilla bean; rich toffee; aged oak; cinnamon buns; molasses Palate- dusty, aged oak; old leather; vanilla bean; lemon oil; barrel char; molasses; herbal spice; caramelized sugar Finish- Long, rich finish; musty oak; molasses; leather; sugary sweetness Wow. Easily one of the best bourbons i’ve ever tried. From nose to finish, there’s an unmistakable aged/musty oak and old dusty library note that is fantastic. There’s leather, as well as some wonderful tropical fruits as well. The notes go on and on for the nose and palate... my list doesn’t do it justice. The finish is long, rich and extremely well balanced. If you have the pleasure of trying this, I consider you very lucky.

Drammers club online pour. Amazing stuff possibly better than pappy van winkle 15. Nose: Oak, Cherry, Vanilla, Caramel, Chocolate, Pepper, Cinnamon, Cloves, Raisins, Berries, Flowers, Brown Sugar, Orange, Lemon Frosting, Apricot, Bubblegum, Corn Palate: Caramel, Cherry, Vanilla, Peach, Chocolate, Spearmint, Orange, Cinnamon, Flowers, Bubblegum, Cotton Candy, Raisins Finish: Vanilla, Caramel, Cherry, Dill, Cloves, Pepper, Orange, Sultanas, Flowers, Corn, Cotton Candy, Grass, Raisins, Brown Sugar, Cinnamon

One of the best bourbons ever is the Wild Turkey 12 Year, which was produced from the mid 80’s until the early 90’s, mainly for the Japanese market. It is a stunning whiskey with an incredible oily mouthfeel and the longest finish. It is in perfect balance.

Caramel, vanilla, butterscotch bomb something about those old bourbons