Wild Turkey Distilling Company has announced the permanent introduction of Wild Turkey 101 8-Year-Old Bourbon to the United States market. This bourbon will be available alongside the classic Wild Turkey 101 starting this April. The 8-Year-Old Bourbon is rooted in a traditional recipe, paying tribute to the original Wild Turkey 101, which was historically bottled after eight years of aging.
Previously, Wild Turkey 101 8-Year-Old Bourbon was only available in select international markets, where it developed a strong following and became a popular choice among collectors. Master Distiller Jimmy Russell has noted that this bourbon is one of his favorites, making its launch in the U.S. significant for the Russell family as Jimmy approaches his eighth decade at the distillery. Bruce Russell, Associate Master Blender, stated, “Wild Turkey 101 8-Year-Old Bourbon has always been a favorite – not just for my granddad Jimmy, but for bourbon lovers around the globe.”
The demand for an age-stated Wild Turkey 101 was highlighted last year when the distillery released a limited edition bourbon to honor Jimmy Russell’s 70th anniversary. This special offering combined an 8-year-old bourbon with additional aged whiskeys from selected barrels. The consistent interest in aged bourbons in the U.S. has led to the decision to make Wild Turkey 101 8-Year-Old a permanent offering.
This bourbon is characterized by more complex flavors, including toffee and clove, and offers a longer finish compared to the standard Wild Turkey 101. It is designed for consumption neat or on the rocks. The 8-Year-Old Bourbon is blended from a smaller batch of carefully selected barrels, resulting in tasting notes of vanilla, charred oak, and black cherry, culminating in a finish of brown sugar and dried fruit. The bourbon will be sold in 750ml bottles at a suggested retail price of $45. For further details, more information is available on the Wild Turkey website.