Underrated: Wild Turkey 101?
Is Wild Turkey The Most Underrated Bourbon Around?
By Richard Thomas
(Credit: Richard Thomas)
A couple of years ago, one of the popular memes in American whiskey writing was to declare that “most craft whiskeys suck,” and the strangest undercurrent of that meme was to name Jim Beam White as a very underrated bourbon and use it as a yardstick. Comparative values aside, I remember thinking at the time, “Jim Beam White underrated? How?”
Beam is the third-ranked whiskey in the world, after Johnnie Walker and Jack Daniel’s, so just how could it be ever classed as underrated, let alone severely so, escapes me. Instead, whenever I think of underrated bourbons it is Wild Turkey 101 that tops my list.
Underrated By Popular Acclaim?
I am not alone in thinking of Wild Turkey as so egregiously overlooked by casual drinkers and diehard enthusiasts alike. Jimmy Russell’s signature statement appears on many an underrated whiskeys list, on blogs, in forum threads and in the media. This is so much the case that one might wonder if it is so widely appreciated as an underrated bourbon, how could it remain underrated?
Because that passion on the part of some doesn’t translate well into actual drinking on the part of many. Wild Turkey 101 was last year’s 18th-selling whiskey brand. That ranking places it far behind even Evan Williams, another popular choice as an underrated bourbon.
The situation with calling Wild Turkey 101 underrated isn’t the same paradox with saying that of Jim Beam White at all. Beam’s mass market label may—may—be underrated, but only among serious whiskey fans who have moved past it and since forgotten it. Turkey 101, on the other hand, is neglected across the board.
The Proof Is In The Numbers
Some bourbon drinkers just don’t like a particular brand, and that is fine by me. If your taste buds have run the circuit of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, and you’ve drawn the conclusion that what they are doing at Wild Turkey ain’t your thing, that’s you and that’s great. But when it comes to whether their bourbon is underrated, that isn’t a matter of individual taste and the numbers prove it.
Think about those sales numbers and then compare them to the numbers that go into a bottle of Wild Turkey 101. First, that number “101” refers to the proof, an abv of 50.5%. That higher alcohol content matters because bourbon drinkers generally like stronger whiskey, something demonstrated by the way so many bourbons are 86 proof or higher. This is the strongest of the mass market bourbons, and by a wide margin at that, yet at the same time it’s not a fearsome tiger that scares novices away. It’s potent, but mellow, and that is something that comes out another set of numbers: the age.
Wild Turkey 101 is drawn from six to eight year old stock, leaning more toward the upper end of that range. That makes it older, as well as stronger, than other mass market bourbons, and goes a long way to explaining why a whiskey that is just over half alcohol doesn’t have a big bite on it.
The final number is the price tag: $20 to $23 in most of the United States. Compare that to a whiskey with very similar numbers, Knob Creek. This popular, premium bourbon from Jim Beam was always more expensive than Wild Turkey 101, but in recent years the price gap has widened, with Knob Creek now going for $40 to $50 in much of the U.S.
Now, Knob Creek is a proper small batch, and widely regarded as a whole order of magnitude better than Wild Turkey 101. Still, it is only slightly older, approximately the same proof, and now almost twice as expensive. Think about that and take another look at Wild Turkey 101.
Great piece Richard. Always love WT 101 for exactly the reasons you point out. They just go about making a damn good whiskey the way it is supposed to be made that is both a fine sipper and fantastic in classic cocktails. For the money, you just can’t go wrong! I just hope you don’t beat this drum to loudly, don’t want too many people to jump on the WT 101 bandwagon….lets keep it a secret.
Agreed. I love this website’s style, but SHHHHH! Don’t write about this too often. WT101 is my go-to, and I don’t want the price jumping up several bucks!
Funny, I’ve been saying that for years and everyone looks at me like I have two heads. Well, I also proclaim it to be the best, to me it is. I’ve had all the big name hard to find ones out there and have seldom been impressed and always go back for another bottle of 101.
Thanks
I agree. I am not a bourbon expert, but WT 101 is very good.
I’m the kinda guy who would much prefer a wild turkey to a knobby old creek.
Wild Turkey is my go to drink on the golf course. A few shots and you are so loose that you just repeat the same swing and relax. It’s an amazing feeling and if you golf you should give it a try. Shrooms work too.
Mushroom gravy goes pretty good with Turkey.
I just had my first taste of 101 and I was impressed. I am more of scotch drinker but this is much better than some of the blended scotch I have tried (ie. dewars WL & 12yo, J/W black.) or bourbon (Makers Mark). This will be a staple in my bar from here on.
Old friends are not soon forgotten
I drink Wild Turkey almost exclusively. I try other bourbons whenever I can but I always come back to WT101. The only other brand I really like is Old Grandad 114 but their higher price isn’t worth it to me. Kickin’ Chicken all the way!
I’m Australian, but spent my formative years in the States where bourbon was the drink, and WT 101 and GrandDad 100 were my go-to brands…
Coming back to Aussie, where bourbon is ridiculously expensive anyway, I mostly stocked Buffalo Trace and Russell’s Reserve as my main drops, with Woodford, Blanton’s and Rare Breed in between.
Last years I was at a bottlo in the country, and the best I could do was WT101. Light bulb over the head that night as the more I sipped the more I realised – this is a damn good bourbon!
Just drank a little wild turkey and I agree. Thanks for the information.
The more expensive the bourbon the less I seem to like the taste. For an everyday sipping bourbon I enjoy Even Williams Black label and for special times it only Wild Turkey 101. It’s the only two bourbons I buy. Been disappointed WAY too often with more expensive brands.
The WT/KC comparison is a good one.
Both are approximately the same age, especially now that KC has dropped the 9 yr. age statement.
Both are approximately the same proof.
Both have a fantastic aroma, flavor, and finish.
KC is considered small batch but we really don’t know how “small” the batch really is.
The price differential is substantial with KC being more expensive by far.
But if KC is your thing, that’s fine – I think it is a great bourbon but since it costs $30+ I only purchase it occasionally.
WT is one of the best deals going.
I, as well, have tried most of the small batch and single barrels out there and 101 is not only the best for the money , other bourbons fall short on taste for me … its a gem as far as I’m concerned !!
Preach
I’ve had them all. But the first whiskey I tried and probably the last, will be the Kickin Chicken.
If anyone’s never had bourbon before I offer them this.
Corn, barrel, butterscotch and heat. Alright, alright, alright…
It is absolutely underrated. People talk about it as if it were undrinkable garbage, but it’s far better than most things in the price range and even compares favorably to several things priced much higher. I didn’t get a bottle of Wild Turkey 101 until about 40 or 50 bottles into drinking bourbon, and that’s because I’d always assumed that it was crap. However, trying it has certainly changed my mind.
Wild Turkey 101 has to be the best all-around bourbon out there. It has complexity, flavor and finish that is as good or better than bourbons in the $35-$50 range; so it drinks above its price point. Let the bourbon snobs pay more for inferior bourbon. It’s about $7 to $8 more than the 80 proof version (750 ml.) but well worth it. I occasionally experiment with other bourbons in this price range, but I always come back to WT 101. Great for mixing or neat (how I drink it). You will not be disappointed..