Wild Turkey Bourbon 101

I reviewed this once before, back on November 25 of 2021. I liked it all right back then, but not as well as I do now. The mash bill is 75% corn, 13% rye, and 12% barley. It's 101 proof, thus the name. There's no age statement. In the glass it's a reddish gold. I only got a pint (the same as last time), since I was trying it to see whether I liked it better, worse, or the same. But with more experience I find it good enough that the next time around it'll be a fifth. The pint cost me $13.49. NOSE: The first note is something grainy, perhaps puffed wheat or corn pops, I can't decide which. Then comes definite alcohol, a metallic vanilla note, fresh cut alfalfa, honey butter, lemon zest, something yeasty, ground corn, something musty or dusty, and a faint charred note. MOUTHFEEL: Slightly creamy - perhaps silky would work as well. TASTE: The first note is honey, followed by black pepper, bananas and whipped cream, brown sugar, milk chocolate, something nutty which might be peanuts, and butter. FINISH: Oak, honey, red pepper - and it's short, which is something of a disappointment. SUMMARY: This isn't a hugely interesting whisky, but it's nicely complex enough, and tastes good. Why only liked it as bourbon and branch last year I can't feature. I like it just fine now. RATING: Fine. (Above average, in the system I use; Fine comes above Good, and only Right Fine and Mighty Fine are higher. It's based on my colloquial southern English, in which I might say something like "This is fine bourbon" or "This whisky's right fine.")

This is an excellent everyday bourbon. Great mixer and great neat. Spicy, oak tannins, vanilla, dark brown sugar and an herbal quality that also comes through. Just really dig it.

For its price point, this is surprisingly a easy sipping whiskey and a great mixer for Old Fashioned, etc. Great value.