Wild Turkey
Wild Turkey
60%
16 Years
Released in May 2026, this is the inaugural release in the Wild Turkey Austin Nichols Archives Collection, a series that seeks to recreate popular releases from Wild Turkey's past, an era during which it was owned by Austin, Nichols & Co, which was acquired by Pernod Ricard in 1980.
Aged at least 16 years and bottled at 120 proof (60% ABV), this release is blended from roughly 400 barrels coming from Wild Turkey's Camp Nelson D, E and F rickhouses. It is available in limited quantities at a suggested retail price of $400.
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Gorgeous nose — uber-rich, oaky, sweet and floral. The first aromas that waft forth are an intoxicating blend of vanilla bean and this thick, beautiful butterscotch note. That confectionary profile soon reveals mocha, oak and dried cherry.
Thick viscosity with some moderate heat. A huge cherry cola note leads the way, joined by raisins, tobacco and a sizable helping of woodspice — cinnamon, gingerbread, clove, sassafras — plus licorice, oak and dark chocolate-covered walnuts.
The finish is extremely long and satisfying and filled with drying tannin. It leads with cinnamon, nutmeg and dried fruit — cherries, raisins — and transitions into espresso, tobacco, dark chocolate, almonds and shaved coconut. From there, it moves into a big root beer note that just hangs around forever, along with plenty of oak.
A stunning bourbon that’s powerful and nuanced, filled with dried fruits, nuttiness, oak, cola and root beer. Wild Turkey at its best, and a surefire whiskey of the year contender. This is just about perfect bourbon.
98
Disclosure: The producer provided this sample to review free of charge, and without expectation of review or rating.