Bourbon: Wild Turkey Rare Bird (Barrel Proof)

Per the distillery’s website: “The true, bold spirit of Wild Turkey has been captured in this authentic barrel proof whiskey, creating one of the finest bourbons in the world. Uncut with water, Rare Breed is an uncompromised Kentucky bourbon with tones of sweet tobacco and hints of orange and mint, making it a remarkably smooth whiskey legend.”

I am a Bourbon fan and there is not really a Bourbon I don’t like – but I certainly like some more than others. I like the various Buffalo Trace brands, the various forms of Maker’s Mark, Four Roses, and Jefferson’s. Despite it being a classic brand, I have never had Wild Turkey. I don’t like spending big bucks. I like to keep it in the $40 range (and I am more than happy to spend less – especially for a cocktail spirit) but I will spend $75 for something special (that is about my upper limit). I mostly drink whiskey straight, but I do like an Old Fashioned. I bought this at Costco for around $40.

My first taste was neat and it was too hot – it is 116.8 proof (58.4% ABV) after all. But served over ice: perfection. I typically don’t like straight whiskey on ice as the flavor gets diluted. However, with high-ABV whiskies, the dilution is a good thing. So on a hot summer night, it is a delight to sip on a cold whiskey and appreciate the dilution.

Once your palate adjusts from a cold one, a neat pour tastes amazing.

As for the taste:

• Heat – the first thing that hits you as I said before is the heat
• A hint of licorice
• Some orange
• Unquestionably Bourbon – you won’t confuse as any other kind of whiskey
• Despite the heat, it is clean – not a lot of aftertaste
• Sweet, but not too sweet

Now that I have gotten used to it, I don’t feel the need to have it over ice. But ice is a nice option when the time is right.

My biggest endorsement of a spirit is would I buy it again? Absolutely! The next question is, does it need to be in regular rotation in our bar? Not necessarily, this is a special spirit that I will buy on sale (or at Costco). This is a high-quality spirit at a reasonable price ($40-$45).