A Wild Turkey Limited Release for only $50? Count me in. Although I doubt this release is really all that limited, but who cares. This Wild Turkey at their standard 101 proof but with a cool bottle based on the original to celebrate Jimmy Russell’s 70 YEARS of working at the distillery. You might think with the 70th anniversary and all this might be a 7 year old bourbon. But, no, it is aged stated as 8 but it is a blend of 8 and 9 year old barrels from Jimmy’s favorite rickhouses.

The color on this is a nice amber but not terribly impressive. On the swirl is a thin film but some nice legs, which is to be expected given that the Russell’s know how to distill a nice oily bourbon. The nose has very traditional bourbon notes – camarel, vanilla, a hint of oak – but these notes are remarkably clean. On the palate is classic bourbon – lovely vanilla, caramelized sugar, a slight grassy rye note with some subtle baking spices. The profile really just screams old school bourbon, and I like that. On the finish, some candied dark fruits mingle with cloves and oak.

I was recently at a conference and the hotel bar had Russell’s Reserve 10 year old on the bar, and while they had New Riff Single Barrel I knew I needed to take is especially easy since I was presenting at the conference and when you are doing long drawn out social events I often opt for lower proof but good bourbon, so I drank Russell’s Reserve at the hotel bar. Russell’s Reserve 10 year old is 90 proof and typically around $40 a bottle. This Wild Turkey 8 year old is 101 proof and $50 a bottle. I like the Wild Turkey 8 year old at 101 proof better than Russell’s 10 year old at 90 proof. I am assuming that the 70th Anniversary release is chill filtered, and I think chill filtering adversely affects Wild Turkey’s wonderful flavors, but I would not be surprised if it was not, given that the flavor profile and finish are so clean and delightful. I would also say that this bottle is better than any bottle of Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit I have every tried, and it costs less for whatever reason.

Many folks will ask me for bourbon recommendations or just simply ask what I am drinking lately. Wild Turkey 70th Anniversary Release has definitely made my recommendation list.