Wild Turkey 101

After having had a few really good bourbons last year I vowed to try and purchase more of them this year. While I have been eyeing some of the more premium selections, enough members here waxed on about Wild Turkey 101 offering more than one would expect from a bourbon in it's category. I figured I didn't have much to lose, worse case it could be used for cocktails.

From a bottle opened in November, I poured a dram in both a Canadian style Glencairn and a traditional one.

Nose: Fresh wet oak, caramel corn, a kind of dusty cumin and allspice, pleasant warm grain/corn porridge note.There is a smidge of green apple skin and then lots of cherries building up. There's a persistent astringency and bite from the alcohol. The Canadian Glencairn, offers more oak/cedar and herbal intensity. a touch of cinnamon red hot candies and a mintiness. The rye blooms towards the end, with a bit of yeasty brown bread too, it's a very warming and inviting nose.

Palate: Sweet and dry, creme caramel and rising bread, oak, green plantain, bran muffins, spicy rye and savory feeling on the tip of the tongue, like mountain mint or oregano, a sort of resin-like feeling. Definitely a bit sharp when it first hits your throat but it's just go this great chewy mouthfeel to it.

Finish: It fades away quickly, leaving a bit of tobacco, sweet vanilla and then turning to dry oak, a bit of barrel char, Turkish delight and caramel corn.

The Canadian Glencairn performed really well here it had a bit more burn but the bourbon felt fuller with more complex, with a bit of a floral touch whereas the nose was darker, closed even a bit dustier when using the traditional glass.One thing to note, there is a drying astringent bite to this bourbon that I generally find pleasant but at times can be off putting.

Overall I really enjoyed this bourbon, it can be easygoing with a large ice cube to sip on a hot day, works well in cocktails due to the abv or can provide enough interest if I want to have it neat and take my time. At 36$ it's got great value as well.

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