A little background

Wild Turkey Master’s Keep One is the sixth release in Wild Turkey’s limited edition Master’s Keep series. This release is a harmony of the distinct tastes of father and son blended from mature bourbons between the ages of 9 and 14 years. Hand picked by Eddie Russell, the blend was then matured even further in toasted and charred oak barrels allowing the whiskey to maintain its straight bourbon designation.

Manufacturer: Wild Turkey / Campari Group
Mashbill: 75% Corn / 13% Rye / 12% Malted Barley
Location: Lawrenceburg, Kentucky
Proof / ABV: 101 / 50.5%
Retail Price: $175

(Tasted neat from a Glencairn Glass)

Color

Marigold

Nose

Vanilla and oak up front with brown sugar a tinge of ethanol with dark plum and cinnamon

Palate

Butterscotch turning to toffee, vanilla, and oak

Finish

Plum with oak and spice

In closing

Wild Turkey Master’s Keep One is quite enjoyable from start to finish. The nose even with a tinge of ethanol has some great aromas of plum, vanilla, and brown sugar that seem to constantly be battling as to which wants to take over. The palate is light, creamy, and floods the palate with a butterscotch flavor bomb. On the mid palate the butterscotch softens with notes of toffee and vanilla coming through with just a hint of oak at the back end. The finish is what really shines as the plum from the nose returns with more oak continuing from the back palate with just a hint of spice. There is a low heat that builds in the chest that melds well with the aromas of butterscotch coming back in between sips.

Wild Turkey Master’s Keep One is truly an easy sipping whiskey with amazing flavors from start to finish, but that doesn’t necessarily warrant the high price of $175. When lined up against other Masters Keep bottles such as Decades, Bottled in Bond 17 Year, and Cornerstone, it’s hard to say that this release is worth the high price tag. It lacks the complexity and pungent flavors that previous releases are known and loved for. I’m not telling you not to go out and buy this whiskey, because it has such great flavors however, I am telling you to tailor your expectations if you are comparing it to previous releases.