Wild Turkey is one of the most popular and widely selling whiskey brands in America. The company was launched in 1855 by Austin Nichols & Co. as a tiny shop in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky. Since then, the company has had an interesting journey filled with ups and downs that eventually led to becoming America’s most loved whiskey manufacturer.
In this article, we will explore more about Wild Turkey 101 bourbon - the company’s most loved flagship bourbon brand. We will discuss its price, proof, and some delectable recipes you can prepare with it.
So, let’s dive in!
A Brief History of Wild Turkey
While Wild Turkey’s existence dates back to 1855, the company wasn’t known by the “Wild Turkey” name back then. In fact, the brand’s actual story was in 1940 when an executive of Austin Nichols & Co, Thomas McCarthy, took some of the whisky samples on a wild turkey hunting expedition.
The hunters loved the drink so much that they kept asking for more, referring to it as “the wild turkey bourbon.” Since the samples were so popular, Austin Nichols & Co. started rolling out the bottles of Wild Turkey whiskey in the year 1942.
Over the years, the company earned massive popularity and was one of the few brands offering high-quality straight bourbon at affordable prices.
Wild Turkey Products and Flavors
Today, the Wild Turkey product lineup includes some excellent products. It offers their most known Wild Turkey 101 Bourbon and 101 Rye. They also have a line called Wild Turkey Rare Breed which consists of a rye and bourbon that are bottled at barrel proof and blended between 6, 8 an d12 year old whiskies.
The Kentucky Spirit is their iconic single barrel offering and they also have a line of limited edition Master's Keep collection. Some of these bottles can sell for upwards of $500.
Like many distilleries, Wild Turkey has jumped on the bandwagon of flavored spirits. They have added their smooth and sweet Wild Turkey American Honey followed by Wild Turkey American Honey Sting which is flavored with honey and ghost peppers.
Wild Turkey Review: How Does Wild Turkey 101 Bourbon Taste
Wild Turkey 101 Bourbon is made from corn which is 75% in content, rye which is 13% in content, and 12% of malted barley. Even though 13 doesn't sound like a big percentage it is considered a high amount when making bourbon. This amount of rye is responsible for the extra spice kick the bourbon gives off.
The drink is yellow gold in color and delivers a rich and well, spicy flavor. However, the palate isn’t very complex. Instead, it manages to retain the classic charm and taste of good bourbon. With the dominating flavor of rye spice along with the soft touch of vanilla and muted oak, the Wild Turkey 101 Bourbon hits all the right notes.
Long after finishing your drink, the spicy flavor will linger on your tongue, reminding you of what good, solid bourbon should taste like.
What goes into Wild Turkey 101 Bourbon?
You might be surprised to know that Wild Turkey is one of the few distilleries that has NEVER used GMO grains. They also source their water straight from the Kentucky River and naturally filter it through limestone. The yeast they use today is the same they have been using for the past 60 years.
Another flavor factor is the char on the inside of the American Oak barrels they use. As you may have guessed, Wild Turkey doesn't cut corners here either. While many distilleries select a char of 1, 2 or even 3, Wild Turkey only uses barrels with what's called no. 4 "alligator" char and is the deepest char available. This deep char is used across the board in all their whiskies, both bourbon and rye.
Lastly, Wild Turkey rests for a minimum of 5 years, but often even longer, closer to 6 - 8 years!
With all of these elements contributing to the overall flavor and quality of product, we think Wild Turkey is pretty reasonably priced. Not to mention you get a better bang for your buck when you buy a higher proof spirit. Keep in mind that all the bourbons you see out there at 80 proof have been watered down to that level. Whereas with Wild Turkey 101, you are getting the spirit as it is straight from the barrel.
Wild Turkey 101 Price
When it comes to the Wild Turkey 101 price, you will not find a lot of whiskey brands that offer old-fashioned bourbons at an affordable price. And this is where Wild Turkey 101 wins the game. The company offers high-quality whiskey at an incredibly value-for-money price.
Here’s a quick price guide of Wild Turkey 101 bourbon:
Type | Size | Average Price | Proof |
---|---|---|---|
Wild Turkey 101 Bourbon | 50ml | $3.99 | 101 |
200ml | $9.99 | ||
375ml | $16.49 | ||
750ml | $26.99 | ||
1 L | $32.99 | ||
1.75 L | $46.99 | ||
Wild Turkey 101 Rye | 750ml | $26.99 | 101 |
Wild Turkey American Honey | 750ml | $24.99 | 71 |
Wild Turkey American Honey Sting | 750ml | $28.99 | 71 |
What else compares to Wild Turkey Bourbon?
Other spirits comparable to the Wild Turkey 101 bourbon include Jim Beam, Johnnie Walker Black, and Elijah Craig Small Batch.
Popular Recipes with Wild Turkey 101 Bourbon
Now that we have talked about the Wild Turkey 101 price, flavor, etc., let’s quickly look at some fantastic recipes you can prepare with this bourbon.
Kentucky Mule
Directions: Take a highball glass and add some ice to it. Then pour the Wild Turkey 101 bourbon and lime juice into it. Top it with ginger beer and stir slowly. Garnish with mint spring, and enjoy your cocktail! It’s the perfect summer drink!
Paper Plane
Directions: Simply add all the ingredients and ice into a shaker and mix them properly. Then, pour it into a glass and garnish it with a lemon wheel. And it’s done. If you are looking for a bold, simple, and flavorful drink, this is it for you!
Whether you are having a game night with your best buddies or just relaxing and enjoying your own company on the weekend, the above-mentioned recipes will be your perfect companion.
Wild Turkey 101 FAQs:
How many calories are in Wild Turkey 101?
One shot (1 ounce) of Wild Turkey 101 bourbon contains 104 calories.
Is Wild Turkey 101 a good bourbon?
Wild Turkey 101 is a good mid range over proof bourbon that delivers on quality and taste.
Conclusion
So there you go! That was all about Wild Turkey 101 price and review. Wild Turkey 101 is a fantastic drink with rich flavor and texture. As a whiskey enthusiasts, we recommend giving it a shot if you haven’t tried it yet!