Wild Turkey 101 refuses to compromise on standards of excellence. Whether you enjoy this rich, pungent Scotch whisky by yourself or in the company of esteemed guests, we think Ron says it best: Prepare to experience true freedom and bliss., For mixologist Simon Sebbah of American Bar in New York City's Greenwich Village, Laphroaig Quarter Cask's "buttery, fruity and cigar smoke notes can be exploited in many waysneat, on the rocks or just a few drops in a cocktail.. Jonah Flicker is an experienced writer who has been covering spirits and traveling the world visiting distilleries to taste and discover for many years. With a great mix of rye spiciness, nuttiness and some vanilla sweetness, it's lovely to sip on its own or mix into an old fashioned or Manhattan.. Even if you wouldnt buy it regularly (we can dream) its absolutely a top-shelf Bourbon to try at least once. Sadly for us it is only available at the Woodford Reserve Distillery and a limited number of Kentucky retailers. On the palate it is buttery smooth, with a hint of sweetness and a brilliant bold body. It also produces spirits brands, including Appleton Jamaican rum, SKYY vodka, Espoln tequila and Forty Creek Canadian whisky. Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Jim Beams Small Batch Collection was created by former master distiller Booker Noe in 1992, at a time when bourbon was struggling for relevance (hard to imagine now). Crafted by the oldest whiskey distillery in New York City (which you can even visit), Kings County Distillery Straight Bourbon Whiskey offers a robust flavor with sweet notes of butterscotch, fruit, and vanilla. This particular bourbon is touted as mellow and earthy, with notes of rich caramel and stone fruits, making it a tad too sweet for an old fashioned, but great for something like a Werther's hot toddy. Take a sip, then add an ice cube to feel the flavor develop. There are a variety of expressions with different ABVs, but the 100 proof version is one of the best. Expect tastes of cherry pie, raisins, and nuts, with an intense finish of tropical fruit. Fortunately, the core eponymous expression from Buffalo Trace is a solid workhorse bourbon that plays well with other ingredients in a cocktail and is solid enough to drink on its own. But Pappy Van Winkles bourbon is pretty much sold out and impossible to find anywhere. Buy Wild Turkey 101 Bourbon at Frootbat. $75 / 6 years old / 100 proof. Black pepper and summer fruit are up front, with notes of caramel and warming spices in the middle, and vanilla and butterscotch on the back end. If you have tried the regular Wild Turkey 81 you are going to find the 101 to be a vast improvement. Wolves Whiskey (Spring Run): An expensive, highly giftable, very odd whiskey. This uncommon approach is what Battles loves about Pinhook and its bourbon, and we think you will, too! Nicely balancing sweet and spicy notes along oak and pleasing warmth. The style of the Gold Label is called single pot, meaning it's a mixed mash of malted and unmalted barley distilled in a pot still. Best Splurge Straight Bourbon Whiskey: Hillrock Solera Aged Bourbon Whiskey. There are a few facts worth knowing about the Woodford Reserve: Prices are approximate and stated in USD: I am a bar and liquor shop owner in Oaxaca, Mexico where I have tasted hundreds of different spirits; perhaps more than I should! Written by David Jennings, American Spirit provides lush detail on the brand's history, and put me on to this idea (perhaps inadvertently). Pappy Van Winkles 23 Year Family Reserve wins that crown at a recommended retail price of $3,000. . But really the 95 proof core bourbon is a lesser known bottle that you should get more familiar with. The time, care, dedication, and craftsmanship that goes into Bourbon makes it quite unlike anything else youll spot in the liquor cupboard. The Wild Turkey is a more tasty bourbon as the higher proof adds a nice kick to it without being too hot. But while this small-batch Bourbon has changed a few things over time, its kept its super premium holding and taste. Barrel: Whiskey is distilled in oak barrels or casks in order to impart the most flavor into the liquid. Distillery: Woodford Reserve (Brown Forman) Type & Region: Bourbon, Kentucky, USA Alcohol: 45.2% Composition: 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley Aged: NAS, aged in virgin American white oak Color: 1.1/2.0 on the color scale (deep copper) Price: $30-40 MSRP (750mL) From the Woodford Reserve website: Barrell doesnt have that problem very often though, as is the case with the newest bourbon, Batch 033 (a blend of 5 to 9-year-old bourbon from Indiana, Kentucky, and Tennessee). Wild Turkey 101 is bottled at 101-proof, or 55.5 percent ABV and has a suggested retail price of about $25 for a 750mL bottle. Oak barrel aroma is evident, but much smoother than the 81. Old Forester is a storied bourbon brand known for making inexpensive whiskey that doesnt sacrifice flavor or quality. Many booze brands slap "small batch" on their bottles, but Michter's means it: A maximum of twenty full barrels are produced in each run. ", Have Apple's AirPods Max? Still chasing that 'malty high,' I've tried some of the American single malts, but most recently tried the Woodford Reserve Malt Whiskey. "The sherry cask finish makes Kujira Ryukyu 12 Year a great summer sipper.. You can find Wild Turkey 101 for about $25 for a 750mL bottle at 101-proof, or 55.5 percent alcohol by volume. It comes out of the barrel at around 109 proof necessitating . The proof: While the general consensus is that a higher proof (or ABV) number results in a better whiskey, this isnt always the case. This iconic bourbon is perfectly aged a minimum of ve years in American White Oak barrels with a level 4 char. Family- and Kentucky-owned Heaven Hill Distillery is home to hallowed brands like Elijah Craig, Old Fitzgerald and Henry McKenna, and still finds the time to push out the world-beater that is Evan Williams en masse. The Michters range includes bourbon, rye, American whiskey, and sour mash whiskey. With notes of caramel, vanilla, raisins, and a hint of charred oak, youll want to savor the taste of this premium Single Barrel again and again. One of the iconic bourbons in the world, Wild Turkey 101 is a marriage of 6, 7 and 8 year old barrels mingled together to create the high rye and spice taste Wild Turkey is famous for. Drink on the porch over ice. Theres also a Double Oaked version, which is matured for a second period of time in lightly charred barrels, as well as rye, wheat, and malt whiskeys. Kujira is not commonly known in the states and made from 100% long indica rice," he said. The Russells fought tooth and nail to keep the barrel entry proof, one of the brand's historical hallmarks, lower than the industry average of 125. Unlike other spirits, a company cant just call their liquor Bourbon unless it fulfills every one of the requirements. Some distilleries basically only use palletized but if theyre working with a variety of different types of [products]," Russell said. Whatever the age, the rich caramel and brown sugar flavor, along with that signature Jim Beam nuttiness, shines through. All that being said, you really cant do much better than a humble bottle of 101 (dont waste your time with the 81-proof version). When she's not sharing her passion for the Oxford comma with anyone who will listen, she is a proud cat parent, avid yogi, tea enthusiast, and co-host and co-producer of the podcast "Crime Culture". Jeffersons believes that temperature fluctuations, salt air, and the gentle rocking of the ship all work together to weather a truly fine Bourbon. This much-loved spirit has a distinct flavor profile and a history to match. In 1964, Congress even declared Bourbon Americas Native Spirit. However, if you are in the market for a little guidance as to what might be a quality bourbon to try, one that you can actually find for less than $100 per bottle (and mostly much less than that), here is an updated list of twelve bourbon brands to drink now. Its an authentic bourbon with excellent flavor. There are also some higher-end releases like Masters Keep, the most recent of which was called One and was finished in toasted oak barrels (the new edition is due out this fall). Read our earnings disclaimer to learn more. Whiskey is a spirit distilled from fermented grain mash (wheat, rye, barley, and corn) and then aged in wooden barrels. As Master Cocktail Craftsman at The Bar at The Spectator Hotel in Charleston, South Carolina, Allen Lancaster recommends reaching for this bottle for a variety of reasons. Woodford Reserve is a really high quality sipping bourbon and an easy entry point for the whiskey newcomer. If youd prefer something a little lighter on your wallet, Johnnie Walker Black Label is also a favorite of our Director of Motion Graphics, Vineet Sawant. Its great in cocktails, you can sip it on its own, and it is hands down one of the best bourbons you can find for the price. It has a noticeable oak char note that its a bit bitter and can turn off some consumers. Its bottled at 90 proof, giving it enough structure to stand up in a cocktail without being so boozy that its unpleasant on its own, especially with an ice cube or two. Woodford Reserve. Beginners to the bourbon category should look at the price, proof, and mash bill. At about $9 more per bottle at a similar proof-point, Woodford Reserve is definitely a bit more dear in price. Theres no drink so ripe with history and so rich with flavor quite like Bourbon. "It's amazing what diverse profiles a single bourbon and rye whiskey recipe can produce in the hands of true masters. This comes at no extra cost for you and supports our team to create more content. This is followed by notes of cinnamon, clove, roasted corn, and a hint of spicy rye with a balanced finish of candied fruit, fig, and walnut finish. Single barrel bourbon, sweet or rare. They don't even play with barrel char levels; all bourbon ages in deep, dark No. And I think the MM 101 is a nice equivalent to the WT101. Reply. If it isnt already, Four Roses Yellow Label should be your go-to budget bourbon (though the label isnt actually yellow anymore). ELIJAH CRAIG Small Batch Kentuky 14 . Gruppo Campari is a publicly-held company, making sales data available to shareholders. Everyone has a calling card except Wild Turkey. And lets not forget the oak casks: the oak used is first stripped and left to weather for six months. Old Forester 100 Proof Signature Bourbon delivers richness and good flavor (though you may find theres a slightly bitter aftertaste). The barrel begins to crack and peel in a rough, shiny pattern that looks like alligator skin. Woodford Reserve may be better known for their bourbon, but their rye is equally deserving of attention. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Best Bourbon and Rye Whiskey Hybrid: Redemption Straight High-Rye Bourbon.