Whiskey Review/Tasting: Wild Turkey 12 years

Physical Whisky Characteristics

Origin: Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, USA.
Type: Kentucky Straight Bourbon.
Distillation and Maturation Process: The Wild Turkey 12 years old is a bourbon that comes from hand-selected barrels and has been matured for 12 years. The distillery underwent significant renovations and doubled its production capacity. The whiskey is distilled by the Austin Nichols Distilling Company.
Age Statement: 12 years.
ABV: 50.5% (101 US proof).
Color and Bottle Design: The whiskey has a wonderful dark color indicative of its long maturation period. The bottle design is typical for Wild Turkey, featuring the iconic wild turkey from North America. The packaging also includes a tube with the phrase "beyond duplication," highlighting its unique quality.

Balance of Flavors: The whiskey offers a rich and full flavor profile with a perfect balance between fruitiness, sweetness, and spiciness.
Unique Characteristics: Notable for its dark berries, orange juice, and orange peel notes, combined with the sweetness reminiscent of pancakes with maple syrup. The maturation process imparts a heavy oak influence, adding depth to its flavor.
Comparison: While not directly compared to other whiskies, its unique aging process and flavor profile set it apart as one of the best bourbons, according to the reviewer.

Distillery Renovations: The Wild Turkey Distillery underwent significant renovations and a doubling of production capacity, which temporarily affected the availability of this 12-year-old bourbon in Europe.
Charring Process: During a visit to the Wild Turkey Distillery, the reviewer learned about the different levels of cask charring, from grade 1 to 4, with grade 4 having the thickest layer of charcoal, which influences the whiskey's flavor profile.

Kentucky Heritage: The whiskey's production in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, and its maturation process highlight its deep roots in American bourbon culture. The picturesque setting of the distillery near the Kentucky River and an old iron bridge adds to its historical and geographical allure.

Reviewer's Opinion: The reviewer, Horst Luening, praises the whiskey for its spectacular flavor and smoothness, considering it one of the best bourbons. He appreciates the rich, full, and aromatic profile of the whiskey and recommends it as a clear buy for its intensity and value for money.

Wild Turkey 12 years old is a Kentucky Straight Bourbon with a 50.5% ABV.
It features a rich and balanced flavor profile with notes of dark berries, oranges, and a sweetness akin to pancakes with maple syrup.
The whiskey is celebrated for its long 12-year maturation period, which is significantly longer than the typical bourbon.
The distillery's history, including recent renovations and the charring process of the casks, adds depth to the whiskey's story.
Horst Luening highly recommends this bourbon for its quality, flavor, and value, considering it one of the best.

Bourbon Enthusiasts: Individuals with a deep appreciation for bourbon will find the Wild Turkey 12 years old particularly enjoyable for its rich flavor and long maturation period.
Whiskey Collectors: Collectors looking for unique or hard-to-find bottles will appreciate the rarity and quality of this bourbon.
New Whiskey Drinkers: While the high ABV and complex flavor profile might be challenging for new drinkers, those looking to explore deeper into the world of bourbon might find it an intriguing choice.