Wild Turkey 101 is about as ubiquitous a whiskey that has ever existed - and that's for the better. Moderately aged, aggressively priced, and proofed well at 50.5% ABV, the legacy of what some refer to as the 'Mighty Gobble' is a whiskey known for neat drinking, bar shots and cocktails alike. Let's dive in and see how it rates.
This is a fantastic budget bourbon that deserves to be in everyone’s collection. It provides a nice mix of sweet and spicy flavors with a slightly dry, medium-length finish.
People who are skeptical of Wild Turkey’s ability to make good bourbon would do well to try this one out. At 101 proof, it packs something of a punch, and has more taste and vigor than a number of other whiskies.
Overall Wild Turkey 101 is a balanced and robust whiskey that never disappoints. It’s packed to the brim with flavor and is as versatile as a bourbon can get.
It’s set up to be a great run, but the approach softens toward the finish with muted brown sugar appearing. Still, the flavor and balance make for a fun sipper and great cocktail mixer.
The palate gives way to flavors of toasted wood, caramel, vanilla, and with just a couple drops of water reveals a rich chocolate maltiness with hints under ripe stone fruits.
WT101 I think embodies what most non-whisky drinkers think of bourbon. It’s that “old man” style drink. It’s definitely not as sweet as some of the other bottles in this price range, the oak is a bit more pronounced
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House Review
Nose:
Vanilla, cinnamon and a faint hint of alcohol. For what Im guessing is a moderately aged bourbon, the nose holds up very well. Also, very well blended for a healthy 101 proof. Mouthfeel is just right, with plenty of flavors.
Taste:
The cinnamon is there and overtakes the vanilla. Less sweetness than the nose would lead one to believe and a bit more burn. Its not particularly complex, but boy is it good.
Finish:
Short and a bit harsh, but well blended. You can tell this is a 101 proof dram, but its not punishing.
Overall:
Extremely strong performance for such a reasonably priced bourbon. This garners a cult like appeal in some circles, and it's clear why.
Score:
85
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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