This is the entry level rye whiskey offering from Wild Turkey. Released without an age statement, and at 40.5% ABV, this is clearly the little sibling of the venerable WT 101 Rye. Let's get to it.
While not unpleasant by any means, it lacks the punch and complexity I like in a rye whiskey; there’s simply nothing particularly interesting about it. It’s decent for mixing, but I’d just as soon pick up a bottle of Wild Turkey 101, which also retails for around 20 bucks, for that purpose.
Very spicy, yet relatively soft in character, with suggestions of gin botanicals, dried fruits, honeyed vanilla, and teasing charred oak. Very quaffable for a rye whiskey.
Tasted blind, I would bet that most tasters would peg this as a young Bourbon, and that’s not intended as a slight. This is a mild and smooth whiskey that would be just dandy in a Manhattan — but maybe not man enough for a Sazerac.
