Is Wild Turkey whiskey top shelf?

Wild Turkey is one of the most popular bourbon whiskeys in the world. It has a high rye content that gives it a spicy, full-bodied flavor. Many whiskey drinkers consider it to be a great whiskey for the price, but there is some debate over whether Wild Turkey qualifies as a top shelf whiskey.

What makes a whiskey top shelf?

There is no official criteria for what makes a whiskey “top shelf,” but there are a few generally agreed upon characteristics:

• It is produced by a renowned distillery with a history of quality whiskey making.
• It is aged for many years (8+ years for bourbon) in charred oak barrels.
• It has complex, refined flavors that require some whiskey knowledge to fully appreciate.
• It has no off flavors, just smooth, balanced tasting notes.
• It is bottled at a higher proof than lower-end whiskeys.
• It carries a high price tag, over $40-50 per 750mL bottle at minimum.

Top shelf bourbons tend to come from historic Kentucky distilleries like Buffalo Trace, Heaven Hill, and Jim Beam. These brands produce premium bourbons like Pappy Van Winkle, Elijah Craig 18 Year, and Knob Creek Single Barrel that enthusiasts agree qualify as top shelf.

How Wild Turkey compares

Wild Turkey meets some but not all of the characteristics people look for in a top shelf bourbon. Here is how it stacks up:

History and reputation: Wild Turkey has a long pedigree as one of Kentucky’s major bourbon distillers, though not quite as iconic as Buffalo Trace or Jim Beam.

Aging: The standard Wild Turkey 101 bourbon is aged for at least 6 years, which meets the requirement for bourbon but is a bit below other premium brands aged over 8 years.

Flavor complexity: Wild Turkey is appreciated by bourbon drinkers for its bold, spicy rye flavor profile. However, it is not quite as smooth or nuanced as higher-end brands.

Off flavors: Wild Turkey has rich, authentic bourbon flavors with no detected flaws.

Bottling proof: Wild Turkey 101 is bottled at a robust 101 proof (50.5% ABV), well above the 80 proof minimum for bourbon. This gives it bold flavor.

Price: A 750mL bottle of Wild Turkey 101 retails for around $25. That’s very inexpensive compared to top shelf bourbons that go for $60+.

Based on this comparison, Wild Turkey falls just short of meeting all the standards to be considered a true top shelf bourbon. However, it offers excellent quality and value for its price point.

How Wild Turkey tastes

Here is a more in-depth look at the flavor profile of Wild Turkey 101 to understand its taste:

• Nose: Big aromas of caramel, brown sugar, orange, cinnamon, and rye spiciness. Hints of oak and vanilla. Robust for its age.
• Palate: Lots of sweetness up front with butterscotch, vanilla, and orange notes, turning spicy mid-palate with rye pepperiness kicking in. Some oaky undertones.
• Finish: Long, warm finish with lingering rye spice and oak tannins. The high proof makes it burn strong going down.

Reviewers consistently praise Wild Turkey 101 for being rich, complex, and full-bodied for its younger 6 year age. The rye gives it a nice peppery bite to balance the sweetness. Oak influence is moderate. While it may not have the ultra-refined character of an Elijah Craig 18, it has deep, satisfying bourbon flavor.

How Wild Turkey is made

Wild Turkey is distilled at the Wild Turkey Distilling Co. in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky. Here are some key facts about its production:

• Originated from the Ripy family distillery in the 1940s and takes its name from distillery owner Thomas McCarthy, who was a wild turkey hunter.
• Uses a high percentage of rye in its mashbill – about 13-15% compared to the bourbon minimum of 51% corn, which gives Wild Turkey its spiciness.
• Aged in charred American white oak barrels for at least 6 years in rickhouses.
• Barrels are hand selected by master distillers for the ideal flavor profile.
• Bottled at 101 proof (50.5% ABV) – higher than the minimum 80 proof for bourbon.
• No flavor additives, chill filtering or coloring is used – just pure bourbon.

This time-honored process results in a quality, authentic bourbon that maintains Wild Turkey’s distinctive high-rye flavor profile batch after batch. The longer aging and higher proof of premium brands like Knob Creek or Booker’s can account for some of the flavor differences.

How to drink Wild Turkey

Wild Turkey makes for a bold, flavorful sipping bourbon that stands up well in cocktails. Here are some serving tips:

• Drink it neat or on the rocks to appreciate the full flavor and rye spice.
• Add a few drops of water to open up the aromas if drinking straight.
• Use in traditionally bourbon cocktails like an Old Fashioned or Manhattan.
• Pairs well with ginger ale or cola for a classic whiskey highball.
• Works nicely in place of rye whiskey for cocktails thanks to its spicy kick.
• Avoid masking its flavor in very sweet or fruity cocktails.

While Wild Turkey may not have the prestige of Kentucky’s premium small-batch bourbons, it offers undeniable quality and flavor at an affordable price point. Cocktail enthusiasts, value shoppers, and fans of spicy rye whiskey will all find something to love in Wild Turkey 101.

How Wild Turkey compares to other popular bourbons

Here is an overview of how Wild Turkey 101 stacks up against some other big names in bourbon:

Wild Turkey 101 vs. Jim Beam White Label

• Jim Beam White is the #1 selling bourbon.
• Aged for 4 years vs. Wild Turkey’s 6 years.
• Bottled at a lower 80 proof vs. Wild Turkey’s 101 proof.
• Jim Beam has a sweeter, more mellow corn flavor compared to Wild Turkey’s spicy rye.
• Both are good baseline bourbons, but Wild Turkey has bolder taste.

Wild Turkey 101 vs. Bulleit Bourbon

• Bulleit is another popular, inexpensive bourbon.
• Aged around 6-7 years, similar to Wild Turkey.
• Also bottled at 90 proof like Bulleit.
• Bulleit has a lighter, smoother profile vs. Wild Turkey’s richer flavor.
• Come down to personal taste, both are solid medium-price bourbons.

Wild Turkey 101 vs. Maker’s Mark

• Maker’s Mark is a wheated bourbon, meaning it uses wheat instead of rye.
• Aged around 5-6 years, a bit less than Wild Turkey.
• Bottled at 90 proof, lower alcohol than Wild Turkey.
• Maker’s has a soft, sweet taste without spiciness. WT101 is spicy and bold.
• Another case of different flavors suiting different tastes.

While other bourbons like Jim Beam and Maker’s Mark have their own positives, Wild Turkey stands apart with its high rye content, bolder flavors, and higher proof. It clearly deserves its place among the top tier of moderately priced bourbon brands.

Where to buy Wild Turkey 101

As one of the major national bourbon brands, Wild Turkey 101 is widely available at liquor stores across the United States. Here are some tips for finding it:

• Check large liquor store chains like Total Wine & More, BevMo!, and ABC Fine Wine & Spirits, as they generally have extensive bourbon selections.
• Search inventory online for local stores if your state allows liquor delivery or online ordering.
• Ask at smaller independent liquor stores, especially those with a good whiskey selection. The owner can likely special order it if not in stock.
• Check bourbon-focused stores for rarer Wild Turkey expressions like Kentucky Spirit or Rare Breed.
• Select warehouse stores like Costco and Sam’s Club often carry it at a discount in larger quantities.
• Order online through services like Drizly, Minibar Delivery, or Instacart if available in your state.

As a fallback, Wild Turkey 101 can also be found online through major retailers like ReserveBar, Caskers, and Wine Chateau who ship to many states. With its accessibility and reasonable price, Wild Turkey shouldn’t be hard to hunt down for your home bar.

Is Wild Turkey worth the price?

At around $25 for a 750mL bottle, Wild Turkey 101 offers excellent value for the quality. While not the fanciest small-batch bourbon, it delivers great authentic flavor for a fraction of the price of top shelf brands. For comparison:

• Jim Beam White Label – $20
• Evan Williams Black Label – $15
• Maker’s Mark – $30
• Knob Creek – $45
• Woodford Reserve – $60

As you move up the pricing ladder, you see longer aging and finer craftsmanship reflected in the bourbon’s depth and complexity. However, Wild Turkey hits a sweet spot where you get noticeably better quality than bottom-shelf brands without breaking the bank.

For a bourbon that brings hearty rye spice and robust flavor, Wild Turkey 101 is a downright steal. While aficionados will still pay up for premium small-batch bourbons, this is an excellent everyday drinking whiskey for the money.

Conclusion

In the bourbon world, “top shelf” is a slippery term without a strict definition. By many of the characteristics used to describe top tier bourbons – long aging, complex flavors, refined palate – Wild Turkey 101 falls just short of true premium status. However, it offers excellent quality whiskey with bold, spicy rye kick that shines through in cocktails or sipping neat. While not the most nuanced sipping bourbon, it remains a standout option for its accessibility, versatility, and sheer bang for your buck.

For bourbon drinkers looking for an affordable go-to choice that always satisfies, Wild Turkey is hard to beat. While it may not have the blue-blood pedigree of Kentucky’s finest small-batch whiskeys, it earns its place as a solidly great bourbon for full-flavored drinking. The high rye mashbill and roaring 101 proof give it a flavor profile all its own. While everyone’s taste preferences differ, any bourbon enthusiast would be wise to keep a bottle of Wild Turkey 101 handy on their home bar.