There’s a bit of history worth unpacking before we get to the glass. Wild Turkey 101 carried an 8-year age statement for decades, then lost it in the early 1990s when the domestic version went to a no-age-statement expression. The age-stated version lived on in Asian export markets in 700ml bottles, becoming something of a cult favorite among enthusiasts who tracked it down. The 2025 domestic release, now in a proper 750ml bottle and largely shaped by Bruce Russell, Wild Turkey’s Associate Master Blender, is a welcome return.
I reviewed the Wild Turkey Jimmy Russell 70th Anniversary Edition back in October 2024 – that bottle was a blend of 8 and 9 year old barrels at 101 proof, and it made my recommendation list. The 101 8-Year is a natural companion piece to that release – same proof, same general age range, but a different expression of what Wild Turkey’s rickhouses can produce at this maturity level.
The color here is a very rich deep amber with some reddish hues that reflect the additional aging. On the swirl, a nice thick film forms with good legs – classic Wild Turkey DNA showing that characteristic oiliness the Russell family has always coaxed out of their distillate.
On the nose, this is unmistakably Wild Turkey and unmistakably Russell’s Reserve territory – lots of caramel and vanilla, with a little oak anchoring the back end. What’s notable is what’s absent: the slightly raw, hot edges that can sometimes show up on standard NAS Wild Turkey 101 just aren’t here. The aging has smoothed things out considerably.
On the palate, this is all very traditional Wild Turkey, but with none of the negatives that occasionally show up in the standard 101 – vanilla, caramelized sugar, hints of baking spices and cherries, and oak. The mouthfeel is medium but viscous, which is what you want from a well-made 101-proof bourbon. The finish is mild baking spices and oak that really linger – not a fireworks show, but a long, comfortable fade that keeps calling you back for another sip.
Now, a lot of reviewers have raised the obvious question: at roughly $50, why not just grab a bottle of Rare Breed? It’s a fair point. Rare Breed is a fantastic bourbon. But this is older, and maybe a little bit wiser, and it comes in at a very quaffable and very traditional 101 proof. Rare Breed’s higher proof is part of its appeal, but there’s something to be said for a mature, age-stated Wild Turkey at the classic proof that made the brand famous. I’d actually put this close to Russell’s Reserve 10-Year at 90 proof – you get more character, more proof, and arguably more value in the glass. If this was non-chill filtered like Russell’s is, it would blow Russell’s 10 year old out of the water due to the higher proof. But this isn’t as great as Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel at 110 proof, which is one of my favorites but availability is spotty. Sometimes Hokus has lots of it; sometime they are out (like right now).
My bottle is still “in the back” at Hokus (meaning you have to be a good customer and ask for it), which tells me availability may be uneven depending on your market. But if this becomes generally available at or near that $50 price point, this bottle will be a regular on both my kitchen bar and office bar. Wild Turkey fans and traditional bourbon lovers should seek this one out. A truly solid pour with a decent price point.