Its a sophisticated brand thats won awards and acclaims internationally. The whiskey has become a bar staple over the past 25 years, and the flagship bourbon is the main reason why. Its not the most complex rye whiskey on the market, but the Elijah Craig still offers solid middle-shelf quality. If youre looking to spend some dough on your whisky, check out the Gold Label series. Some of this is actually helpful in understanding what's out there, while a lot winds up being useless bourbon bloviating. What does age do for flavor? The whiskey is pulled from the barrel at 109 proof before being proofed down a notch. No bourbon list would be complete without a brand completely dedicated to barrel-proof whiskey, and Bookers (part of the Jim Beam Small Batch Collection with Knob Creek) is one of the best. I also do enjoy Dickel 8yr Bourbon and KC 9yr. Mash/Mash Bill: The ratio and mixture of grains used to produce whiskey. Thats because the palate of this bourbon is sweet and soft, with just a bit of spice lingering in the background. They clearly deliver the best control experiment a bourbon drinker could want, and also afford," spirits reviewer Jay West told me. [Legent] is a lesser-known bourbon that blends Japanese techniques and traditional Kentucky bourbon, says Joshua Lopez, bar manager at Osaka Nikkei Miami. Wild Turkey 101 2021, 2010 and 1984 Ceramic Decanter (8 Year) Review. This bottle has a nose of candied pecans, cloves, wet stone, and orange peels, with a palate of tropical fruit and caramel that leads to an almond and cinnamon finish. Each voyage of Jeffersons Ocean typically crosses the equator four times. Buffalo Trace vs Wild Turkey Rare Breed: Discover the Better! Read our earnings disclaimer to learn more. The Michters range includes bourbon, rye, American whiskey, and sour mash whiskey. As the saying goes, All Bourbon is whiskey but not all whiskey is Bourbon. But theres more to it than just semantics. This makes it good for simple, classic cocktails like a Jack and Coke. True whiskey aficionados are sure to be impressed with this full-bodied beverage, which features a nose of brown sugar, molasses, and toffee. And after years of shifting into different production phases, Michters is finally at the point where the whiskey produced in-house is making its way into bottles, along with sourced and contract distilled stock. Wild Turkey is a classic for a reason, and while the brand has many other expressions to try, we recommend starting with the 101. Woodford Reserve may be better known for their bourbon, but their rye is equally deserving of attention. But Blantons higher-rye mash bill proved a success and the brand has risen from strength to strength over the years. Wild Turkey 101 whiskey comes in a gorgeous, dark copper color. The consistency is driven by the Master Distiller father-son duo of Jimmy and Eddie Russell, who have a combined 100-plus-years at the company. Every product was carefully curated by an Esquire editor. And theres no right way to enjoy Bourbon, but there are certainly ways of drinking the liquor that make for a more enjoyable experience. For whiskey specifically, this is the part of the process where any existing alcohol created during fermentation is removed. Bourbon is so popular nowadays, and everyone has an opinion about what is the best bottle, whats a waste of money, and all the different flavors that you should pick up when you are tasting. Its flagship product, Wild Turkey 101, is a classic bourbon expression, with a typical mash bill of corn, rye, and malted barley. All unaged Turkey hooch enters the barrel at the same 115 proof point. ", Minnick echoed Veach's point. Faint cherry notes play across the nose. Robert Little and Chad Urban, restaurateurs and chefs behind the New York City neighborhood spots Chez Nick, and Leroy's, swear by this bottle. . Then the barrels are shipped over the Cascades to Central Washington to mature in the fluctuating climate there to ensure interaction between whiskey and wood. Woodford Reserve Distiller's Select: 8.38 0.32 on 22 reviews ($$) I know there are a lot of numbers up there, but WT101 gets a good score for this strength bourbon, at this price range. The Wild Turkey 101 isone of the best bourbons in terms of value, it goes head to head with much pricier and elite bottles making it a no-brainer. What might sound like little more than a marketing gimmick has proven to pave the way for a great-tasting whiskey in the form of Jeffersons Ocean Bourbon. Jim Beam was awarded the International Wine & Spirits Competitions Bourbon Trophy back in 2016 and little has changed since. Better known as RareBird101, Jennings is a self-professed Wild Turkey obsessive. "Wild Turkey has never been big or bold in their pursuit of innovation or envelope pushing, and that's fine. This week brings a trio of half-size bottles of straight Kentucky bourbon from the Wild Turkey distillery and Woodford Reserve. jcdcus23 2 yr. ago Thanks MrBifflesticks 2 yr. ago While some craft bourbon can read a bit young and woody on the palate, this whiskey tastes fully mature and carefully produced. It may lack a bit of depth, but if youre the type who can never have too much rye, you just might fall in love with this bottles subtly sweet, slightly spicy flavor. Wild Turkey is a classic, unpretentious American whiskey brand that permeated the publics consciousness well before Matthew McConaughey was named creative director back in 2016. Beginners to the bourbon category should look at the price, proof, and mash bill. 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If you prefer something sweet, try bourbon, which has been aged for at least two years in oak barrels and contains at least 51 percent corn in its "mash bill" (the blend of grains that form the whiskey). Bourbon: The Main Differences, These Peaty Scotches Taste Like Campfire in a Glass, The Best Cheap Alcohol of 2023, According to Bartenders, The 13 Best Canadian Whiskies to Drink in 2023, The 10 Best American Whiskeys Under $50 to Drink in 2023, Which Tennessee Whiskeys Are the Best? Nicely balancing sweet and spicy notes along oak and pleasing warmth. The price: Its understandable that youd rather spend more money on a whiskey to sip rather than one to mix into cocktails or an Old Fashioned. Period. Think about trying it neat first to find its character, but then go ahead and add ice, mix it into a cocktail, or even add cola to it if thats your preference. However, to be called a Bourbon, it must also be produced in the United States and be made from 51 percent corn. Like other whiskey, it must be bottled at a minimum of 80 proof. Another award-winning bourbon, its hard to beat this seriously smooth whiskey with its peppery depth and complex creaminess. And I think the MM 101 is a nice equivalent to the WT101. Fortunately, the core eponymous expression from Buffalo Trace is a solid workhorse bourbon that plays well with other ingredients in a cocktail and is solid enough to drink on its own. Knob Creek (view at Drizly) is the best bourbon for beginners to try. Its great in cocktails, you can sip it on its own, and it is hands down one of the best bourbons you can find for the price. Bottled-In-Bond: The Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897 identifies one class of spirits based upon a specific set of requirements. Woodford Reserve is pleasant and subtle on the nose, with hints of wood, mint, vanilla and caramel. The design feels sleek, [and it] looks good on a bar cart.. "The sherry cask finish makes Kujira Ryukyu 12 Year a great summer sipper.. This is the OG of the collection, created by legendary master distiller Booker Noe at a time when such high proof bourbon wasnt really what anyone was looking for. One of the iconic bourbons in the world, Wild Turkey 101 is a marriage of 6, 7 and 8 year old barrels mingled together to create the high rye and spice taste Wild Turkey is famous for. These bottles have gone up in price over the years, and the differences between each batch are subtle and nuanced, but overall Bookers remains one of the most consistently high-quality barrel-proof bourbon brands out there. Nowadays, the brand is a staple for Bourbon-loving Americans who enjoy it neat or on the rocks for the ultimate experience. We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back. Wild Turkey 101. Jonah Flicker is a freelance journalist based in Brooklyn whose work focuses on spirits, food and travel. Bourbon production has remained as close to what it was 50 years ago as possible. From 101 to its high-end Master's Keep releases, all Wild Turkey bourbon is made with the same mash (unconfirmed, but most believe it's 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley). From the smoothest to the best premium and budget Bourbons, heres everything you need to know when buying your next bottle. What this means: whether you're new to whiskey or a fully fledged bourbonite, Wild Turkey's bourbon lineup serves as the best way to understand the category. Buy Wild Turkey 101 Bourbon at Frootbat. In fact, SAOS barrel picks have been among the best bourbons we have tried in the last few years. wild turkey 101: $20/$248: wild turkey diamond anniversary: $58/$803: wild turkey forgiven: $32/$438: wild turkey masters keep 17yr: $68/$880 . Get our best cocktail recipes, tips, and more when you sign up for our newsletter. Its bottled at 90 proof, giving it enough structure to stand up in a cocktail without being so boozy that its unpleasant on its own, especially with an ice cube or two. How much alcohol is typically in bourbon? How do you decide between the most popular Bourbons or, ultimately, find the best Bourbon of the year? $58/$808: w.l weller antique: $125/$2,498: whistle pig 10yr rye: $62.00: woodford reserve: $26/$388: woodford rye: $28/$320: woodford reserve double coaked: $38/$448: woodford reserve master .