I thought about writing an intro paragraph about shelf turds and overpriced bourbon – all of this connecting to Wild Turkey like a bad joke. There was a time when I’d laugh, but now I don’t (at least not as much or as loudly). I don’t because I’ve realized that folks are missing out.
True, Wild Turkey makes some pure revenue boosters, such as American Honey and American Honey Sting (both liqueurs). I get that, and those weren’t made nor marketed to me in the first place, so no offense. But the last two limited releases, Diamond Anniversary and Master’s Keep, which are marketed to the enthusiast, still sit in the wild collecting dust at roughly $100-$150, location depending.
Many folks yell about the higher prices of Wild Turkey limited editions, but have no problem paying premiums for whiskey sourced from unknown distilleries, annual over-hyped “flip-worthy” releases and the like. Wild Turkey limited editions are exactly that – true non-sourced limited editions. They’re genuinely special releases and priced like it. They don’t pretend to be anything else. They’re often aged stated and typically quite mature in comparison to most Kentucky straight bourbon whiskeys. They’re personally selected by Jimmy and/or Eddie Russell. They’re even dressed up in pretty boxes with lots of details to make it gift worthy (which is more than most limited editions from other distilleries).
So if you like Wild Turkey, you’re missing out when you complain about the latest LE price. If you don’t like Wild Turkey, why do you even care?
Wild Turkey Diamond Anniversary – KSBW at 91 proof – thirteen- to sixteen-year blend of “rare hand-selected” barrels – bottled by the Wild Turkey Distilling Co., Lawrenceburg, KY as a tribute to Jimmy Russell’s 60 years of service
Tasted neat in a Glencairn after a few minutes rest …
Color: rich amber
Nose: toffee, honey, cherry syrup, herbal & floral spice, vanilla, light citrus, hints of funky oak
Taste: sharp vanilla, citrus, light floral perfume, rye spice, clove, delicately sweet & funky oak
Finish: medium, sweet & lightweight – waves of baking spice, fading vanilla
Overall: I quite enjoy this bourbon. It reminds me in some ways of the old Wild Turkey herbal, floral, and citrus notes found in Beyond Duplication and “Cheesy Gold Foil,” yet missing the rich oak influence. Had this been 101 proof I think it might’ve rivaled the older 12-year Turkey, but unfortunately we’ll never know. But don’t blame dilution. Per Eddie Russell on a 2016 Bourbon Pursuit episode, Diamond Anniversary is very near barrel proof.
Regardless of ABV, this is very much a lovely whiskey. It tastes nothing like the standard Wild Turkey bottles you find on retail shelves. And yes, I know Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel Bourbon is half the price and 110 proof – BUT – this isn’t that profile. This is the delicate spectrum of Wild Turkey that’s sometimes found in Turkey from decades ago. I paid a little over $100 for it (Diamond Anniversary typically retails for around $125). Will I buy another bottle of Diamond? Yeah, I probably will.
Rating: 4/5 🦃
Man oh man.. I have to run back to the small hole in the wall store where I just found the WT Diamond Anniversary. I didn’t have good signal and couldn’t check here for a review so I didn’t buy it. They had it for $130 all in.
That’s a fair price. 👍
Thanks for chiming in. Over the weekend I got back to that store and got lucky. I was able to get the WT Diamond Anniversary at $130 and found they had WT 101 that was bottled in 2012 with an MSRP price tag. I found a new WT 101 honey hole. Thanks also for the bottle code guide. It has helped me interpret the codes and select better. One store clerk makes fun of me because I look at the date codes.
I always get looks for code inspections. 😄
Just found a bottle of this, sitting dustry on the shelf. Owner gave my 10 dollars off. Same store sells Stagg Jr. for $100 and Dickel BIB for $129. I felt a tad wise leaving those behind and instead with some wonderful Turkey.
Congrats on the Diamond. It’s a shame those others were priced so ridiculously.
Just found 4 of these in small town Iowa. Paid $120 each (tax and deposit included). Hope to enjoy them all!
Congrats Gregory!