I received this press release and have been waiting on an image to post up with it, but then I realized that Jimmy Russell was showing it off last Friday at WhiskyFest San Francisco. I snapped a picture of him holding the bottle with my Blackberry (which is why it is blurry). It gives you an idea how the bottle looks. Very nice packaging–wooden box and all. When I get a formal picture, I’ll post it up. And my review of this whiskey (which I have in hand) will follow shortly.
Wild Turkey® Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Releases Limited Edition
Wild Turkey “Tradition” BourbonOnly 14,000 Bottles of Master Distiller Selection Available in U.S.
LAWRENCEBURG, KY (September 30, 2009)—Wild Turkey® Bourbon, The Real Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, announces the release of Wild Turkey “Tradition,” a limited edition, 14-year-old, 101 proof bourbon. This Master Distiller Selection, only the third in this series of special selections, celebrates the history of the Wild Turkey Distillery and the traditions held dear by the people of Kentucky. Only 30,000 bottles are available worldwide and just 14,000 have been allocated to the U.S. Suggested retail price for a 750ml bottle is $100.
Wild Turkey Tradition has been aged for 14 years in new, white oak barrels with the heaviest (and most expensive) level of char. After aging in the “sweet spot” or what’s sometimes called the “center cut” of our oldest warehouses, the liquid was bottled at 101 proof in order to retain the true bourbon flavor as has always been done at the Wild Turkey Distillery. The unique packaging combines a traditional metallic base and metal cap with cork stopper with a clean contemporary glass bottle design. It is presented in a special wooden box with an insert describing the rich story behind the product.
“When you’re blessed with a talented father and son team of distillers like Jimmy and Eddie Russell, you want to celebrate their talented touch, and that’s what we’ve done with Tradition,” said Joe Uranga, Vice President of Marketing for Wild Turkey. “With such a limited number of bottles produced, we could easily ask more than $100 for this ultra-premium bottling, but that’s not what Wild Turkey is about. We don’t want to see Tradition become a mythical bottle, but instead we want it to be enjoyed by consumers who truly appreciate a fine, hand-crafted bourbon of such impeccable quality.”
As expected Wild Turkey Bourbon Tradition is a classic. The nose includes warming notes of molasses, raisins and mellowed oak married with the fresh essence of peeled oranges, sweet corn, honeydew melon and luscious vanilla. The taste is bold and crisp, filling the mouth with hints of rye, white pepper and orange zest. This bourbon builds on the warming notes in the nose and develops flavors of toffee and vanilla. The finish is very long with toffee and caramel lingering along with subtle undertones of oak and dried tobacco.
Previous limited editions from master and associate distillers Jimmy and Eddie Russell are Wild Turkey Bourbon Tribute (2004) and Wild Turkey Bourbon American Spirit (2007). The release of Wild Turkey Bourbon Tradition coincides with Bourbon Heritage Month.
So what is the suggested retail price? Their marketing indicates it is under $100, but I have seen information that is was going to be $125.
What is the char level other than marketing hype on most expensive (does it really cost much more to char a barrel to a different level?).
I loved the Tribute and thought it was the best product Wild Turkey ever made. American Spirit was good, but one notch down. Also American Spirit did not sell that well; still plenty of that available here in Texas. What makes this release different than Tribute or American Spirit?
It is $131.95 in Virginia. I saw it in the store on Monday. A little too expensive for me. I mean the BT Antique collection tops off around $70. Either way I would love to try it, but don’t think I’ll be shelling out that kind of money for a bourbon.
btw, the packaging is really nice, but I have a feeling that it drove up the price by a good $30.
Given the reasonably priced Buffalo Trace Antique Collection, I am disappointed with the pricing of this from WT. Cut back on the expensive packaging and reduce the price.
It looks like Joe Uranga does not have a clue about where this product is priced……
BF Antique Collection is reasonably price (heck, relatively speaking (i.e., Scotch), it is down right CHEAP!). However, finding it at its original MSRP is EXTREMELY difficult in Houston, TX. I am very pessimistic about my chances for finding even a single bottle of any of the 2009 collection.
While I love these one off and limited release offerings, the price tag scares me away. I just can’t justify anymore spending that much on a single bottle.
JW, I bought BT Stagg and Weller for retail price ($65) at Downtown Spec’s warehouse store. If they have any left you can still buy it. Just e-mail them in mid October each year and get on the list to be alerted when it is in.
It’s going for $97.49 at Twin Liquors in Austin.
Folks, this is the real deal. I am a bartender at an upscale to fine dining restaurant in Orlando who is also a big scotch drinker and this bottle is worth $85-$100 (more now with a more scarce availability, it’s not even mentioned on WT’s web-site anymore which can’t be said for American Spirit). I came upon it in a mom-and-pop liquor store and inquired about carrying it at our restaurant and it flies. I’ve been through a bottle of the American Spirit and feel that this is a far superior product. There’s a big rosie almost cognac introduction with a subtle honey and slightly caramel finish. The most impressive part is that it clears the palate harmoniously with 0 burn on the exhale and I didn’t know that was possible with a 101 proof bourbon. I’m snatching it up to save, and I’m not a bourbon drinker. Cheers!