Wild Turkey 101 8 Year Old Bourbon
The Stats
- Distillery: Wild Turkey
- Location: Lawrenceburg, KY
- Type: Straight Bourbon
- Age: 8 Years
- Proof: 101 (50.5% ALC/VOL)
- Mash Bill: 75% Corn, 13% Rye, 12% Malted Barley
- Release: April 2025
- Price: $45
Wild Turkey’s legacy is bold, reliable bourbon at a fair price. For decades, 101 proof has been a staple: a high-rye, no-nonsense pour suited for both dive bars and collectors.
Now, Wild Turkey has reintroduced an 8-year age statement to 101, aiming to elevate this bourbon. With more time in the rickhouse, does 101 8-Year offer refinement or just subtle tweaks? Compared to other high-rye bourbons like Knob Creek 9-Year, the 8-Year is brighter and more citrus-forward, giving aficionados and newcomers a fresh twist.
A Familiar Bird, A New Feather in the Cap
Launched in 2025, Wild Turkey 101 8-Year isn’t a radical change—it’s fine-tuned. The base 101 brings assertive spice and 'Wild Turkey funk,' while added years soften and balance. The house character remains, now with sweeter citrus, richer oak, and steadier warmth.
This release tempers Wild Turkey’s boldness with age, trading some of the standard 101’s sharpness for warmth, smoothness, and layered depth. Like a well-worn leather jacket, it carries the same familiar character, but with extra strength, softness, and nuance—still the classic song, just richer in tone.
Tasting Notes
Aroma:
Classic Wild Turkey funk mingles with caramel, vanilla, and orange zest. Dusty leather and smoky oak mix with citrus oil and baking spice. Allowing it to breathe brings out deeper barrel notes, balanced sweetness, and spice.
Taste:
Earthy cinnamon, caramel, and toasted oak lead, followed by baking spice, citrus, honey, and gentle pepper. Balanced warmth anchors the signature.
Finish:
Medium to long finish with cinnamon spice, honeyed grain, charred oak, and leather. A subtle pepper tingle fades into vanilla cream.
Artfully Bourbon Rating
6.5 / 10 - above average
Wild Turkey 101 8-Year delivers on its promise: the classic boldness fans love, now balanced by age. It appeals to those seeking more character, offering nostalgia and a practical alternative to pricier releases.
For Wild Turkey fans, try it at least once to note the difference. We’d reach for this on quiet weeknights to enjoy its mature complexity without overspending, but some may find it too close in price to Russell’s 10 for frequent purchases.
A welcome return: Wild Turkey 101 8-Year is a solid pour that shows classics can age gracefully without reinvention.
