Wild turkey

Wild turkey

Wild Turkey – Authentic Kentucky Bourbon with Tradition

Wild Turkey is one of the most famous and traditional bourbon brands in the world. Its history began in 1869 when the Ripy family founded their distillery on the now legendary "Wild Turkey Hill" high above the Kentucky River in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky. The brand owes its iconic name to a hunting story from 1940: Thomas McCarthy, then the distillery manager, brought a strong 101 Proof Bourbon to the annual turkey hunt – his friends were so enthusiastic that they asked him for more "Wild Turkey Bourbon" the following year. Thus, a brand name was born that still stands for character, strength, and authenticity today.

Masters of their Craft: The Russell Dynasty

No name is as closely associated with Wild Turkey as that of the Russell family. Since Jimmy Russell joined the distillery in 1954, the family has shaped the character of every single bottling. His son Eddie Russell joined in 1981 and now works as Co-Master Distiller alongside his father – together they form one of the most unique father-son partnerships in the entire whiskey world. This continuity and passion are directly reflected in the glass.

The Core: Wild Turkey 101

The brand's flagship is Wild Turkey 101 – named after its alcohol content of 101 proof (50.5% ABV). It impresses with a full-bodied, characterful profile of vanilla, caramel, and oak, complemented by a distinctive spiciness and subtle fruit notes like pear. Thanks to its strength, it is perfect for enjoying neat as well as a strong base for whiskey cocktails like Old Fashioned or Manhattan.

The Range: From Beginner to Collector's Item

Wild Turkey offers a wide range for every taste and demand:

  • Wild Turkey 81 Proof – The accessible entry, fruity-sweet and ideal for cocktails

  • Wild Turkey 101 – The classic, full-bodied and spicy, the heart of the brand

  • Wild Turkey Longbranch – 8-year-old straight bourbon, filtered through American oak and Texan mesquite charcoal

  • Wild Turkey Rare Breed – Barrel Proof bottling without dilution, with full strength at 58.4% ABV

  • Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit – Single Barrel Bourbon, 50.5% ABV, rich in vanilla, caramel, and oak

  • Wild Turkey 101 Rye – For fans of Rye Whiskey: spicy and complex, with over 51% rye in the mash bill

  • American Honey – The fruity-sweet bourbon liqueur, ideal as an introduction or for special cocktails

Taste & Style

Wild Turkey Bourbons are made from a mash bill of 75% corn, 13% rye, and 12% malted barley and distilled in a copper column still. The intense aging in new, charred oak barrels gives the bottlings their characteristic tannins and notes of tobacco, leather, and dark oak in addition to the sweet vanilla-caramel base. The result is a bourbon with backbone – honest, uncompromising, and unmistakable.