One question I’ve received more than any other this year is … Is Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit dead? Despite what my 2019 article might lead you to believe, Kentucky Spirit is alive and well.
So why the confusion? This year Campari introduced a new label, Wild Turkey 101 Private Selection. The glass and specs are essentially the same as Kentucky Spirit – single-barrel Wild Turkey bottled at 101 proof. The only differences are the label design and the fact that 101 Private Selection are barrels chosen by a private party (typically a liquor store or a bar/restaurant). Though Kentucky Spirit was available as a private selection option for years – even before Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel Bourbon – it’s no longer the case as of 2024. But that doesn’t mean it’s gone forever. Kentucky Spirit is sticking around. The barrels are simply chosen by the Russells and their brand team.
Which brings me to the topic of today’s review – a comparison of three Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit bottlings from 2024. Each barrel was aged at the Camp Nelson maturation campus in Jessamine County, though in different rickhouses: CND, CNE, and CNF. Thanks to Kentucky’s Spirit’s antiquated label, we don’t know the age of these whiskeys or the floors they aged on. One can safely assume they’re at least eight years old, though one or more could possibly be older. I think it’s also safe to assume they were aged on the fourth floors of their respective rickhouses, as that’s where similar barrels pulled for the Russell’s Reserve private barrel program slept. We do know which ricks/racks, but since rick numbers are the same from floor to floor, the info sheds little light on their maturation.
With three barrels to taste I’ll refrain from diving into the history of Camp Nelson, though if you’re interested to learn more there are several articles on this blog you might enjoy. My Wild Turkey Campus Comparison is a good place to start. And with that, let’s pour!
Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit – barrel #2769, warehouse CND, rick 11 – 101-proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey – no age stated (reportedly eight years) – bottled 07/09/2024 – distilled and bottled by the Wild Turkey Distilling Company, Lawrenceburg, KY
Tasted neat in a Glencairn after a few minutes rest …
Tasting notes: brown sugar, caramel, oak spice, honey-glazed orange, cinnamon nut bread, nutmeg; vanilla, toffee, cream soda, savory oak, apple-cinnamon, faint clove; medium-long finish w/ toasted honey, root beer, charred oak, barrel-aged maple syrup, woody spice, leather
Impression: A wonderful, well-rounded profile loaded with everything that makes Kentucky Spirit special. There’s plenty of “core Turkey” notes to keep you brand-focused, like caramel, toffee, and baking spice (primarily cinnamon), but at the same time the Camp Nelson cola/soda notes, in this case cream soda and root beer, are undeniable. The only note missing that I tend to find frequently in Camp Nelson barrels is cherry. I suppose it could just be this barrel, though it’s more likely the Camp Nelson D rickhouse doing its own thing.
Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit – barrel #2821, warehouse CNE, rick 46 – 101-proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey – no age stated (reportedly eight years) – bottled 05/24/2024 – distilled and bottled by the Wild Turkey Distilling Company, Lawrenceburg, KY
Tasted neat in a Glencairn after a few minutes rest …
Tasting notes: vanilla frosting, butter toffee, Twinkie cake, glazed orange, nutmeg; caramel drizzle, pound cake, sweet oak, maraschino cherry, white pepper; medium-long finish w/ cream soda, toasted sugar, spicy ginger ale, woody spice, faint lemon & leather
Impression: A sweet and delightful treat, though far from cloyingly so. In fact, if I were searching for a sweet bourbon this is how I’d prefer those boxes checked. Cake frosting, glazed citrus, and maraschino cherry lead the way, while the finish reminds you where this barrel spent its days, with waves of Camp Nelson’s signature ginger ale and oak spice notes lingering. Overall, a wonderful whiskey that starts off sweet, yet closes out elegantly spicy. It’s not as well-rounded as the CND barrel, nor is it as complex, but damn if it isn’t easy to sip.
Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit – barrel #3251, warehouse CNF, rick 29 – 101-proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey – no age stated (reportedly eight years) – bottled 7/29/2024 – distilled and bottled by the Wild Turkey Distilling Company, Lawrenceburg, KY
Tasted neat in a Glencairn after a few minutes rest …
Tasting notes: rickhouse oak, savory cherry & lemon, salted caramel, woody spice, hints of dry herbs; peppery vanilla, toasted honey, semi-sweet Dr. Pepper soda, cinnamon, clove; long finish w/ fizzy cola, brown sugar glaze, singed cherry skin, oak char, leather, white pepper
Impression: For starters, this barrel showcases the most fragrant nose of the three. The oak and cherry aromas are immediately present, followed by salted caramel and oak-driven spice. The taste continues the progression, with the addition of Camp Nelson cola/soda notes, specifically Dr. Pepper. There’s also a pinch of clove on the back palate which reminds me of Camp Nelson F barrels from 2018-2019. But just when you think the ride is coming to an end, the finish reminds you exactly why Camp Nelson is Wild Turkey’s most talked-about maturation location – cherry, oak, and leather, the Holy Bourbon Trinity.
Wild Turkey’s original single-barrel bourbon is here to stay, and based on today’s Camp Nelson comparison, it’s tasting as fantastic as ever. When it comes to these particular rickhouses there’s something for everyone. The CND bottling is well-rounded – arguably the most balanced in this post – while the CNE is sweet and the CNF woody; however, one should always remember that anything is possible with single barrels. In other words, unless you’re tasting the same exact barrels please take my tasting notes and impressions with a grain of salt. Besides, everyone has their own preferences. The key is to get out there and try what you can, when you can, and I can’t think of a better time to do that than in 2024 … the 30th anniversary of Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit.
Cheers!
dj
Enjoy this blog? Please consider supporting it via Patreon. In return you’ll receive access to exclusive rewards and weekly whiskey content. Thank you! dj
Around here I can get RRSiB for the same cost (or cheaper) than Kentucky Spirit, which is the main reason I don’t pick it up often. Back in the fantail days I’d grab a bottle any time I found a store pick, but even that was few and far between.
Now, with the Jimmy 70th release and the return of 8/101, I don’t see a huge reason to keep KS around, or on my shelf, anyway. Glad to see it isn’t going away, but it doesn’t captivate me compared to the rest of the lineup.
The only positive is that it gives you the rickhouse, whereas RRSiB does not. More often than not RRSiB wins the fight, but it is nice to know what you’re sipping – especially if you want to geek out and take note of the differences. Cheers Scott!
True! It is nice to know rickhouse. Maybe someday they’ll update RR labels to match.
I bought a bottle of the 101 private selection when visiting the Visitor center in May. CNF 4th floor. LL/ME. Bottled 5/24/2024. Distilled 9/30/14. Will this have the qualities of the rare breed last year with that LL/ME id?
Doubtful. Russell’s 10 is a batch and LL/ME had some special components. 101 Private Select is a single-barrel expression. The specs are provided on the front label and are likely the typical 8-10-year bourbon, but give it a look (and taste) to know for sure.
Picked up a CN-F Bottle today. Same date. 7-29-24. Barrel 3262. Rick 31. Pretty much spot on with your CN-F profile. These are just so good. Heading over to NC ABC store tomorrow where I picked up the bottle to get the other last two that were on the shelf. Only wish I could have tasted a small pour before they proofed it down. Cheers David.
Always fun to think about what it was like at barrel proof! That being said, there were a run of Kentucky Spirits from Camp Nelson A around 2023 that were so low they had to be bottled as Kentucky Spirit. We picked three, intending on Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel, but the barrel proofs ranged from only 105-106. ABV only had to be reduced by 2+%. Very tasty barrels.
Wow, where they on the bottom floor of the rickhouse? That sounds like what happens in a Scottish dunnage. I could be wrong, but I believe scotch aged in certain locations has the alcohol evaporate faster than the water. Hence, you can get an ultra aged scotch at cask strength that is way below 100 proof. Found an older CNF WT KY Spirit today at a local store. Bottled 8-2-23. Is that around the time they were pulling barrels for Single Rickhouse CNF? Thanks as always for the replies. Cheers.
They weren’t bottom floor. 4th, if I recall correctly. But Turkey’s barrel entry proof is 115, so not out of the realm of possibility.
Got my 1st KS 101 SiB two weeks ago because it is a CN-F & also the lowest price I’ve seen at $55 no sales tax. It’s only 7 barrel #s off from the one reviewed here & same date;
Brl# 3258 on Rick# 25, Btld 07-29-2024…
Blinded it against 2 other WT 101s that I’m familiar with & enjoy very much;
WT 8yr/70th
WT 101 Standard/batched (old label) Btld 10/17/2017 (LL/FJ17)
Note: All 3 bottles here are 750mL.
Going in, predicted the 8yr/70th would win & the KS CN-F would be last…
The standard 101 batch from Oct 2017 won!!
It won mostly due to clearly having the best nose. KS CN-F was last of the 3 WT 101s, though good & MUCH better than any recent standard WT 101.
DJ, pretty sure you wrote that the new WT still went into service in 2011?
If that is correct, think there’s a good chance the 10/17/17 batch is all or mostly from the old still.
For referrence, also have a bottle of old label WT 101 Btld 01/20/2021 (LL/JA20) & it suuuckks compared to the Oct 2017 batch. The 01/2021 batch & any new label batch I’ve had, is just not even sippable for me. They all taste the same or very close. Though it is worth it for a mixer at $30/1.75L in 2024.
It’s not even close, or in the same league. The 2017 batch is a fantastic sipper & found it last summer (2024) for $22.50.
Thanks for all the WT info you put out, David!
See you on Patreon
Cheers!
Apologies for the late reply, as I’m traveling. I believe the 2017 101 is mostly from the old still, but could very well have new still whiskey in it. The new still formally launched in 2011, but it was functioning since fall 2010 (for testing). Since 101 has 6-year in it, and has for some time (the 2011 label states “up to six to eight years”), it’s likely a composite. It will take some breaking in to get the new still where it needs to be, but these 2025 single barrels are some of the best I’ve had in years – especially the latest ones from TYM. Cheers!