Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit Single Barrel Hand Selected Bourbon Whiskey (Bottled 2020)

$199.00
Overview

Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey | Bottled 2020
Single Barrel  ·  Lawrenceburg, Kentucky  ·  101 Proof / 50.5% ABV  ·  750ml

Each barrel of Kentucky Spirit is individually chosen by Master Distiller Jimmy Russell and his son Eddie, ensuring remarkable balance and complexity. Bottled at 101 proof (50.5% ABV), it carries the hallmark Wild Turkey strength while delivering layers of refined flavour.   This one was bottled in 2024

Every bottle comes from one individual barrel, so no two are the same. What you get is a bolder, richer version of the Wild Turkey profile. Caramel, vanilla, oak, and a decent kick of rye spice, all at a proof that actually lets the flavour speak. A solid step up from standard Wild Turkey 101 and a good look at what single-barrel bourbon can do when it's done properly.

Product Details

Bottled 2020
Style Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon
Mash Bill High rye (exact percentages undisclosed)
Barrel Char No. 4 alligator char
Selection Hand-selected one barrel at a time
Proof 101 Proof / 50.5% ABV
Additives None

Wild Turkey ages its bourbon in heavily charred American white oak barrels using its No. 4 alligator char, the heaviest char commonly used in bourbon. Because Kentucky Spirit is a single-barrel release, each bottle reflects the personality of the specific barrel it came from, rather than being rounded out through batching. That's where a lot of the character comes from

Tasting Notes

Nose: Caramel, vanilla, and honey up front, with oak, a bit of orange peel, and that classic Wild Turkey rye spice sitting behind it.

Palate: Rich and full. Caramel and vanilla lead, with baking spice, toasted oak, dark fruit, and a bit of leather. The proof gives it a decent push without going over the top.

Finish: Long and warming. Oak, spice, and a lingering sweetness. A proper bourbon finish that sticks around.

What sets this bottle apart

  • Single Barrel
  • 101 Proof
  • Russell Family Distillery
  • No. 4 Alligator Char
  • High Rye Mash Bill

Distillery Information

Wild Turkey has been distilling in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, since the 1800s. Launched in 1994, The Kentucky Spirit was the brand's first single-barrel bourbon, and it's been a staple of the Wild Turkey range ever since.

The distillery is run by the Russell family, with Jimmy Russell and his son Eddie Russell at the helm. Jimmy joined Wild Turkey in 1954 and remains one of the longest-serving active Master Distillers in the world. Between them, the Russells have been responsible for every barrel of Wild Turkey for over seven decades.

How to enjoy

Best neat. Give it a minute in the glass, and it opens right up. A splash of water or a single large cube works well if you want to dial back the heat and let the sweeter notes come through. Also holds its own in a classic Old Fashioned if you want to build a proper one.

Why we curate it

Kentucky Spirit is one of those bottles that earns its spot for anyone who wants more out of their bourbon without jumping straight to limited releases:

  • Single barrel bourbon at 101 proof, which is a sweet spot for flavour
  • A 2016 bottling from the Russell era of Wild Turkey
  • Each bottle comes from one individual barrel, so it's a genuine one-off
  • Bigger, richer, and more layered than the standard Wild Turkey 101
  • A solid upgrade bottle from a distillery with serious history

If you already like Wild Turkey and want to see what single barrel does to the profile, this is the one to grab.

Tasting Notes

Nose: Caramel, vanilla, toasted oak, and hints of citrus peel.

Palate: Rich flavours of toffee, dark honey, roasted nuts, and baking spice balanced by charred oak.

Finish: Long, warming, and elegant with lingering notes of sweet spice and oak.