CLASSIFICATION: Kentucky Straight Bourbon.
COMPANY: Campari Group.
DISTILLERY: Wild Turkey.
ABV: 50.5% (101 proof).
AGE: 9 years (not stated on the label, but confirmed in the brand’s official information).
MASHBILL: 75% corn, 13% rye, and 12% malted barley.
COLOR: Deep caramel.
OTHER: Barrel number 35, Warehouse M, Rick number 1, bottled on April 20, 2012.
Michel I. Texier
The history of Wild Turkey represents not only tradition but radical consistency in an ever-changing world. Unlike many distilleries that adjust their recipes, they have maintained a single mashbill for decades –fermenting with the exact same yeast strain– and a lower barrel entry proof than most of the industry, which intensifies the interaction with the wood. This defines its style: spicier, drier, and with a greater prominence of oak.
Kentucky Spirit was launched in 1994, becoming the second single barrel on the modern market, trailing only Blanton’s from the Buffalo Trace Distillery. It was born as a direct response to the boom in premium individual bourbons; each barrel is personally selected by Jimmy and Eddie Russell and is always bottled at 101 proof, maintaining consistency with the house DNA.
While other single barrels seek power or luxury, Kentucky Spirit focuses on expressing the pure DNA of Wild Turkey, barrel by barrel.
NOSE: In the glass, this bourbon opens with an intensity driven by wood: dominant toasted oak, deep vanilla, and caramel, alongside hints of orange peel and dried herbs, with a subtle backdrop of leather and almond.
Robust and slightly rustic, it is closely aligned with the Wild Turkey DNA: less sweet than other commercial spirits of its kind, and with a spicier, drier character.
PALATE: On the palate, it shows a balanced profile but with plenty of personality: caramel and butterscotch provide a sweet base, accompanied by baking spices (cinnamon, clove), notes of honey, almond, and toasted grain, and a clear presence of oak with a spicy kick.
The body is medium to full, with a texture that can vary depending on the barrel. Overall, it maintains a good structure, though some batches can feel a bit lighter.
FINISH: The finish is one of its most consistent points: long and warm. The oak and sweet spices persist, alongside echoes of vanilla and honey, creating an enveloping and slightly dry sensation. It is not an explosive finish, but rather an elegant and sustained one, leaving a classic impression of a well-structured bourbon.
COMMENTS: Kentucky Spirit occupies a very specific place in the premium bourbon universe. It is not the most powerful, nor the most complex and exclusive, but it is certainly one of the most honest. It essentially tells you, “This is what Wild Turkey does… unmasked,” which holds immense value in the world of single barrels.
From an advanced tasting perspective, it is ideal for understanding barrel variations without drifting away from the same baseline profile. It works perfectly as a bridge between commercial bourbons and high-end single barrels. Crucially for premium cigar lovers, it possesses enough structure and spice to pair beautifully with medium-to-full-bodied, earthy, or spicy Habano wrapper cigars.
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