Readers of this blog will know that I like a Wild Turkey limited release bourbon. I really splurged on the Wild Turkey Generations Bourbon, which set me back $450 which is more than I would typically pay but after I checked out other folks tasting notes on the internet, I decided to buy it. That, and given that yesterday marked the seventh anniversary of my whiskey blog, I wanted to review something really good to celebrate. 

This is a collaboration of all three Russells at Wild Turkey: Jimmy, Eddie, and Bruce. Hokus Pokus previously sourced some barrel picks that all three collaborated on right after Bruce joined the company. So, the addition of Bruce to the mix of this bourbon ought to be good. Generations is a combination of 9, 12, 14, and 15 year old bourbons. These bourbons were blended and bottled at barrel proof, 120.8. This is non-chill filtered, which is great since I think chill filtering ruins Wild Turkey bourbon’s flavor.

Color on this bourbon is a lovely deep amber, which shows that the nine year old is probably makes up the largest part of this bourbon. On the swirl is a thin film but legs that are as prominent and thick as the George T. Stagg is just reviewed. On the nose is cherry that is really concentrated, with carmelized sugar, leather, and pipe tobacco. Very engaging nose. On the palate, the cherry notes become more of a cherry cola note, with dark brown cane sugar, slight vanilla, peach, and baked apples, with some baking spices emerging mid palate. The finish is caramel apple, Italian maraschino cherry, brown butter, and a hint of clove. 

This is a truly amazing rendition of what is excellent about Wild Turkey bourbon. Normally, barrel picks and special releases tend to focus on apples and peaches or cherries as the fruit element. But this blend of their different fruit flavor profiles puts all that is great with Wild Turkey on vivid display, and boy is it buttery. The notes on the side of the bottle note that this is a family portrait of the Russell family. Indeed, it is a portrait of one of the most famous Kentucky bourbon families, and their craftsmanship is on full display in this bourbon. Up and until now, the Wild Turkey Master’s Keep 17 year old Bottled in Bond was my favorite limited edition from Wild Turkey. I think this one is better, given the blending of different aged bourbons with different flavor profiles bottles at cask strength.