This the best Whiskey of 2025! I was also a huge fan of the 2024 Russell Reserve 15 year from 2024 so I am not totally surprised, but this expression is very special. I pray to the Whiskey gods that this will not be the last Master’s Keep release ever as rumored. Hopefully, this amazing father and son collaboration will continue to the delight of enthusiasts like myself for many more years. At 118 proof, i think it is ideal to enjoy neat in a glencarin. The nose is very alluring with hints of oak, cigar wrapper, honey, and fruit. The taste is a bold combination of light oak, baking spice, maple syrup, and more dried fruit. The finish is long, smooth, and full of character. I detect more oak, chocolate, orange, and a final dash of spice that leaves you wanting another sip.
About this bottle
Beacon is the 10th and final Master's Keep release from Wild Turkey which first launched in 2015. It's made from a blend of 10 and 16 year-old bourbons crafted by Master Distiller Eddie Russell — the brainchild behind the Master's Keep series — and his son Associate Master Blender Bruce Russell. Eddie selected bourbon distilled between 2007 & 2008 which were the last remaining bottles laid in the original Wild Turkey distillery while Bruce selected bourbon distilled in 2015 which was among the first he produced alongside his father and grandfather, Hall of Fame Master Distiller Jimmy Russell. Bottled at 118 proof, Beacon launched globally in September 2025. (SRP $300)
How it tastes
Measured across 14 flavor axes. Tap a note to find other bottles that lead with it.
Reviews
Showing the most detailed of 11 parsed reviews.
Wow, just wow! Was lucky enough to grab a bottle of this at MSRP (kinda wish I had purchased 2!!). It's just a testament to all at WT that fine bourbon really make an impression. I opened this bottle at a buddy's bday to share with a few friends and it's a memory I will not soon forget. This also reminded me that good bourbon, especially fine bourbon is not suppose to sit on a shelf, but rather be opened, poured and enjoyed with a many people you love as possible, shit maybe even a few you don't! Cheers! Your Bourbon Brother from Kingwood, TX
If you have the opportunity to try this, take your time. This is a showcase of what Wild Turkey has in its stocks. Nose: Classic WT funk. Nutty, cinnamon, some citrus and sweet notes. Some rye spices mingling Palette: picture this: mix the 15 yr with a singke rickhouse, that would be close. Sweet cinnamon, dry tannins, marshmallows, toffee, deep underneath is raisin and chicory, coffee cake, medicinal cherry, long finish. Dark and dry and it just sits. Peanut brittle starts to come in, soft tannins linger.
Same foundation as RR15; top notch Turkey profile. Basically a great Russell’s bottle. Not much heat but great in the flavors and mouthfeel. Sweet and spicy
Nutty, dusty barrel char nose. Nutty continues on the palate. Bubblegum, oak, almond meal, and spice. Dense. Dry finish with a welcoming Kentucky hug.
This bourbon is amazing. Another WT hitter that blows the socks off other bottles. So smooth and tasty with an amazing flavor profile!
5 more reviews were collected for this bottle. The longest ones are shown first.
Tastes like this
Closest flavor profiles across the whole catalog.
