2020's entry into the Master's Keep series by Wild Turkey brings us a 17 year old bottled in bond bourbon with a hefty price. This is pretty old compared to most bourbon we see on shelves, so its a surprise to see it sold around the $200 mark.
This isn’t what you’d call a “crowd pleaser.” There are flavors here that will challenge a lot of palates, confuse others, and delight many of those Turkey purists. And after tasting repeatedly, I think I might be one step closer to counting myself among those people.
Although not a home run, Master’s Keep pushes Wild Turkey’s bar a bit higher relative to their recent limited releases with a subtle, yet complex and interesting bourbon that is unfortunately priced too high.
Had I been given this blind, I would not have guessed it was anywhere near the age on the label and may have assumed it was a barrel that got pulled early because it started to develop off-putting bitterness.
This is excellent, but the palate can’t decide what it wants to be - first fruity, then abruptly rolling into an experience of pure tannins. It’s great, but could do better if the palate could sort out what it wants to be, and integrate a bit better.
Let’s face it, there is just something special about hyper aged and well blended bourbon. In today’s market of overpriced and over hyped young bourbon it’s releases like this 17yr Master’s Keep Bottled in Bond that goes to show that there is no substitute for Father Time in creating special whiskey.
It’s not a bad whiskey, but I feel like I’m missing that Wild Turkey soul. Something is missing from the Wild Turkey Master’s Keep Bottled In Bond 17 Years and it just doesn’t scream Wild Turkey.
The taste is spicy and warm with black pepper, a hint of clove, black cherries, toffee, and a subtle hint of campfire smoke in the background. The finish is long and gentle. Excellent!
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House Review
Nose:
Fruity at first, before a wave of oak sweeps in. Bright berry, some sweet vanilla bean, then strong tannins and oak.
Taste:
Sweet on the palate, bright and fruity - truly a surprise for the age. Blackberry, strawberry, some vanilla once more. The fruit makes its way out the exit though, making room for a strong, bitter oak structure to pull through. The palate clearly has a Phase 1 and Phase 2, with a lack of notable integration.
Finish:
Long finish, oaky here with notes of cocoa, praline, some tobacco and pepper.
Overall:
This is excellent, but the palate can’t decide what it wants to be - first fruity, then abruptly rolling into an experience of pure tannins. It’s great, but could do better if the palate could sort out what it wants to be, and integrate a bit better.
Score:
88
By t8ke
Our in house critic rates spirits on a scale of 0-10 (10 best) and is aggregated the same as external sources
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