If there’s a Wild Turkey expression that’s improved over the last several years it’s Rare Breed. While the current batch, 116.8, hasn’t reached batch 01-99’s exemplary status, considering the differences in entry proof (from 107 to 115) and barrel location (from primarily top floors to a wider variety of racks), it’s certainly come a long way from batch 112.8. (Those who are fans of Rare Breed 112.8, please don’t take offense. You like what you like. I just can’t find much love for that release unless it’s hitting ice or fortifying a Kentucky Mule.)
A few weeks ago I participated in an epic Wild Turkey vertical tasting with Malt Magazine’s Taylor Cope. It was an exciting and rewarding experience and I hope to work with Taylor again down the road. After the tasting I walked away with a recurring impression – damn, 2019 Rare Breed is delicious! I set out to find a bottle for myself, and luckily, I did – a June 2019 bottle to be exact. But I’m not so sure that the precise bottling date means as much as some enthusiasts proclaim. Please allow me to elaborate.
Sometime last year rumors started flying about a choice Rare Breed batch containing fifteen-year whiskey, more specifically, a laser code beginning with the letters “LL/GC.” Truth be told, I appreciate laser codes. I do. As a reviewer of Wild Turkey expressions exclusively, dates matter. I like examining profile trends. Without date verification, that simply can’t happen.
One trend I noticed earlier this year was a quality increase in Wild Turkey 101, particularly notable in mid-to-late 2018 batches. A likely contributor to this boost in quality was a lack of eight-year stocks due to the production of Wild Turkey Longbranch. As a result, Master Distiller Eddie Russell introduced additional mature stocks (likely ten-years) when necessary to achieve the desired Wild Turkey 101 profile. While other factors were at play (specific rickhouses, particular floors, racks, etc.), the Longbranch theory made sense. That same theory could (and should) also be applied to Rare Breed; whereas the expression is typically a blend of six-, eight-, and twelve-year whiskey, 2018-2019 (and potentially beyond) batches likely contain more ten-plus-year barrels to compensate for the assumed lack of eight-year stocks.
As for the rumored fifteen-year whiskey in “LL/GC” (March 2018) Rare Breed batches … one should be cautious. First off, does that apply to every single batch produced through the entire month of March 2018? Second, where did the information come from? (My guess … something, something, internet. Always a trustworthy source, right?) Finally, and here’s the nail on the coffin if ever there was one, Eddie Russell stated in a recent Reddit AMA that the oldest barrels dumped in any 2018 Rare Breed batch was no greater than thirteen years. (He didn’t clarify how many barrels or which batches saw them either.) And let’s be honest. If the fifteen-year rumor were true (which it isn’t), would a few notably mature barrels make that much of a difference in batch quality when offset with numerous younger barrels? Not likely.
Earlier this year I was surprised to see “LL/GC” bottles of Rare Breed offered for sale at considerable premiums on secondary markets. The fifteen-year whiskey tale accompanied these solicitations (of course), and unfortunately, some eager folks spent their hard-earned-money on a yarn. Had they simply purchased a 2018-2019 Rare Breed bottle at their local bottle shop they would’ve been just as happy. Those who disagree need only arrange a blind tasting and, well, it’s as the Police classic says, “The truth hits everybody.”
Rumors and taterisms aside, it’s time to formally dig into 2019’s Wild Turkey Rare Breed. No legends of unusually aged barrels here – no accompanying or unfounded hype. Just your everyday, barrel-proof Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey from the hands of the most experienced distilling team in the bourbon industry. Let’s pour!
Wild Turkey Rare Breed (2019) – 116.8-proof KSBW – reportedly a blend of 6-, 8-, and 12-year, barrel-proof bourbon – distilled and bottled by the Wild Turkey Distilling Co., Lawrenceburg, KY
Tasted neat in a Glencairn after a few minutes rest …
Color: deep copper
Nose: (fragrant, modern WT) warm vanilla, apple butter, toffee, baked brown sugar, charred maple-oak, orange peel, herbal spice, candy corn, nutmeg, hints of clove
Taste: (robust, balanced) vanilla extract, caramel drizzle, sweet oak char, brown sugar, nutmeg, orange zest, chocolate-covered cherry, licorice, faint black pepper
Finish: long & warm w/ lingering spice – vanilla, toasted caramel, charred oak, molasses, licorice, sassafras, burnt sugar, citrus, cinnamon & pepper
Overall: I might take a little heat for saying this, but this year’s Wild Turkey Rare Breed is arguably the best deal in modern bourbon. Sure, Wild Turkey 101 seems virtually unbeatable (dollar-for-dollar), at least in today’s insanely priced market – but – if you want an even bolder, barrel-proof Wild Turkey experience, Rare Breed’s retail price is more than worth it. It’s as I’ve remarked several times in the past … everything you love about Wild Turkey 101 “cranked to 11.”
While there’s a hint of youthful liveliness laced in batch 116.8 (as there seemingly always is with modern Rare Breed), it’s beautifully integrated (much like a non-age-stated, cask-strength Scotch). Why enthusiasts pay $200+ for five- or six-year Willett Family Estate or other highly sought after similarly aged bottles when Rare Breed is only $45 (and found virtually anywhere) is beyond me. From my limited tasting experience, I just can’t say such releases warrant a substantial premium over Rare Breed 116.8. A single exception might be mouthfeel, which brings me to my next point.
Why on Earth is Rare Breed chill filtered? Can anyone answer that for me (please)? Eddie? Campari? Why are we chill filtering super-premium barrel-proof bourbon in 2000-freakin’ 19? I’m waiting …
Look, 2019 Rare Breed 116.8 is unashamedly delicious. It truly is. But imagine this bourbon with a richer, creamier mouthfeel. Imagine an extra layer of depth, complexity and character. Booker’s is non-chill filtered, as are countless other batch/barrel-proof bourbon whiskeys. Why not Rare Breed? Are we trying to give the competition an advantage? Are we sandbagging now? Well, it sure seems like it. I guess we have prettier liquid, at least (sigh).
If there’s a takeaway here it’s this – 2019 Rare Breed is a helluva tasty deal for its retail price. Could it be better? Absolutely. And there’s an easy solution. Stop. Chill. Filtering. Hell, you get to skip a step and save a little time and money. So Campari, please give it a whirl. Until you do, I’m doubtful future Rare Breed batches will crack the 4/5 mark on my Turkey scale. It’s possible, sure. But every time I sip Rare Breed next to an NCF expression like Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel, I’m left asking, “Why?”
I sincerely hope I don’t have to ask that question much longer.
Rating: *3.75/5 🦃
*This is a protest score.
The 116.8 has been legit since release, and seems to keep getting better. At $40/bottle I’ll always have one around.
Now just NCF the damn thing!
Cheers,
Scott
Exactly. Always great but seemingly getting better and better. #NCF2020
No laser code from this tasting?! How else am I going to go clear the shelves? Ha, /sarc. Re NCF of RB, please ask Eddie next time you speak although I’m guessing this is a Campari decision
It’s a June bottle. 😄 I’ve heard there’s an NCF version coming to duty-free/travel-retail markets. We’ll see!
so one assumes HF
That’s right.
Went on sale last month at my state store (Idaho) and I only bought 2, drank 1 already. Should have bought more, darn budget 😉
I’ve got a feeling they’ll be making more. 😉👍
Best deal in KSBW, indeed! I think Knob Creek 120 comes in a close 2nd.
Yup…NCF2020, or bust.
Knob Creek fan here too!
The KC single barrels in the 13-15 year range are far and away the best value in bourbon right now.
For readily available, standard issue products, it’s Rare Breed under $50 and Elijah Craig Barrel Proof under $75 in my book.
I lean towards the 9-10 year KCSiB from my experience. They’re a damn good deal if you’re a Beam fan. That’s for sure!
My guess…it’s chill filtered because that’s how Jimmy wants it. And we all know that Eddie has far too much respect for his father to go against his wishes while that wonderful man is still with us. I think Eddie would like to do a lot of things differently and probably try some new things. I think they’re likely on the back burner for now. Patience, Jedi Master…patience. 😉
Possibly, but I doubt it. They’ll both tell you the best whiskey comes straight from the barrel. Ain’t no chill filtration happening with that experience. I’m sure there are concerns on the corporate side in regards to cosmetic appeal. I respect those concerns, but would rather see an NCF version (at least for enthusiasts).
I’m with you. NCF the Rare Breed and Kentucky Spirit in 2020.
Didn’t this start the whole date code thing? https://youtu.be/O3v4OsYlRA8?t=2607
Possibly. Who knows? I was hearing rumors in the summer of 2018. I believe that episode was recorded in Sept. Codes are cool and fun to compare batches, but the rumors of older whiskey compositions must be taken with a grain of salt.
Great article. I love Rare Breed. It’s my favorite Wild Turkey product, but one thing about it has always flummoxed me. Why do you think they pick a proof and force themselves to blend every batch to that proof? Can they add some percentage of water to get the proof to 116.8 with “barrel proof” on the label? It seems by forcing themselves to blend to a proof it would complicate them blending batches to match a consistent taste profile. It’s my favorite product so I’m asking out of curiosity rather than being critical.
Could it be they don’t care that different batches of the same proof taste different as long as they’re good? I’ve never had blind side by sides of different batches of 116.8 but the research needs to be done ;). Perhaps a Wild Turkey enthusiast blogger will one day!
This post may shed some light: https://rarebird101.com/2018/05/15/wild-turkey-rare-breed-wt-03rb-2009-v-2012/
Well that answer came much faster than I imagined! I’m not sure how I missed that last year. Thanks!
I came here to ask basically the same question: do they really use a bottle proof like 116.8 to aim at rather than a flavor profile that can vary significantly in ABV? Is printing and clearing new bottle labels with an updated ABV really that difficult (assuming that’s a factor as well)? I guess ultimately the question is HOW much variance are they allowed with the ABV that they state on the bottle?
The TTB allows for a .15% tolerance in the label’s stated ABV. The ATF allows for a 1.0% tolerance to state a whiskey as “barrel proof.” I’m no expert, nor WT employee, but my guess is that they batch slightly over 116.8 and add as little water as needed (under 1%) to reach 116.8.
But like you I wish they’d just opt for new batches every year or so like it was in the 1990s. And … no chill filtration. Rare Breed is awesome, but it could be better with some simple changes.
I really hope this expression isn’t missing from my LLS shelf six months from now. Thanks, Fred M. for the review alongside the BTAC. Sigh…
In all fairness it was blind. Can’t blame anyone for that! 🙂
Not laying any blame. He’s making his living and I don’t begrudge him that. He does a great job. I’m thinking more selfishly.
You love your Turkey. Can’t blame you either! 🙂
RB is BP, but CF. RR SiB is NCF, but proofed (who doesn’t love whiskey acronyms). It’s like they want to leave us wanting more =)