For far too long I've avoided coming to this bottle, as it is a namesake legendary bourbon that has earned a venerable spot in history and must be respected for it's position as one of the "building blocks" of American whiskey. Those long in the tooth, grey in the beard or both might recall the pre-Campari days of Wild Turkey, the prominent "Austin Nichols" printed on the large brown labels featuring the famed American fowl. In those days one had a clear choice, the entry 86.8 proof version or the 101. No "Masters Keeps", no barrel proofs or any such specialty, just the plain jane low and high proof offering was it and for over 2 decades that was enough. It's hard to rate such things as tradition and being a part of the best of American traditions of quality bourbon is even more of a spectre but at the end of the day there is no denying that Wild Turkey and especially the 101 is part of the best of that tradition. Even ZZ Top has memorialized the label in their classic song. So 101 Turkey, what is it, well good bourbon that has hardly been cut from the barrel, and that already should have you interested if you are still one of the WT virgins out there. A nose of sweet corn brown sugar caramel and vanilla with just a hint of pungent acetate. On the tongue, smooth sweet bourbon notes from proper aging are recognizable and as important, no bitter effect or funk of peculiar barreling. The smooth sugar stays through the end combining with rye spice and just a hint of oak and tobacco bitters trailing off in the finish. Perhaps not enough complexity for the hard core enthusiast to get excited about, but a great deal of pure bourbon features packed into a modestly priced bottle. In this day and age of designer bottles and celebrity branding which of course is found now in the Wild Turkey house as well, it's good to know that a real standard like the famous 101 is still delivering quality that represents what bourbon is about. With it's place already cemented in history, lets hope Campari will honor tradition and avoid tampering with this venerable spirit. enjoyed with a Punch Classico maduro