Wild Turkey Rare Breed Barrel Proof Rye

On the nose I get grass, rye grain, apple, maybe a subtle hint of vanilla, possibly a hint of cloves. It's a spicy drink - I get a real blend of spice on my palate- black pepper, maybe a bit of cinnamon, ground ginger, fiery rye. Beyond the heat, I get some typical rye flavors like maraschino cherries and almonds. I find that many entries in the Wild Turkey line and Russell's Reserve tend to have apple flavors, and that's definitely present - whereas Russell's is a sweet and smooth sipping mellow rye, Rare Breed Rye is the other side of the rye coin - it's fire and spice. The finish is long and hot - more ground ginger, barrel char comes through with some nice woody charcoal notes, maybe even some cocoa. A great companion for a cool fall night, with pumpkin or apple pie, holiday gatherings, or a backyard campfire. A great addition to the WT lineup. This is a real winner. Definitely be picking up another bottle when I finish this.

My first opportunity to try this came during my recent KBT trip. But not at the distillery, Wild Turkey has been closed for renovations, so no tours and no tastings. But they do have a small 'gift shop' of sorts setup across the street, so we decided to check it out. Glad we did. Lots of gear and whiskey were available for purchase, but on the day we visited, Jimmy Russell was in the house signing bottles. He and his wife are very nice people, and were gracious enough to share a couple stories, before signing my bottle. Very cool. So, that bottle sat untouched for a few months, and was opened for the RWT event we held a few weeks back. Same classic rye nose of baking spices, followed by a creamy smooth mouthfeel and long lingering finish. Almost as good as I remember it tasting that day in the gift shop, but how do you beat sharing a taste with the Master Distiller himself?!

Rye Rye High!

Rye spice, sweet caramel. Oily and delicious. I like the balance of the spice and sweetness in this rye, and the proof really works here. Great pour.

Nice buttery, spicy

Good, not too spicy. I need to find out what the consistent flavor profile across Wild Turkey products is. There’s something consistent there and I can’t put my finger on it. I’ve heard “dusty” but I’m not satisfied by that description. If anyone has thoughts on the wild turkey profile across products, please comment.

Thanks Ryan! Aroma is grassy with peppercorn. Really well rounded flavor, spice, vanilla, and a lovely peppery finish