Distillery
Wild Turkey
Wild Turkey is an icon of American bourbon: a Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey brand produced at the Wild Turkey Distilling Co. in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky. Known for its robust bourbons (e.g. 101, Rare Breed, Longbranch) and for the American Honey liqueur, the brand is tied to Master Distillers Jimmy and Eddie Russell and is part of the Campari Group.
- Lawrenceburg · Kentucky · United States
- Since 1869
- 6 products
The story
The site’s origins trace back to the Ripy family: the distillery was founded on Wild Turkey Hill, Lawrenceburg (KY) at the end of the 19th century. The Wild Turkey name emerged around 1940. Production passed through various owners over the years; since 2009 the brand and production facility have been part of the Campari Group. Recent history is marked by the long tenure of the Russells (Jimmy from 1954 and later his son Eddie) as Master Distillers and by the expansion of the range with iconic labels and innovations such as Longbranch and collaborations with external figures.
Production philosophy
Wild Turkey emphasizes fidelity to tradition and production consistency: established recipes, attention to raw materials and patience in aging. The brand puts the experience of its Master Distillers at the center and follows the principle of not changing a process that already works.
Territory
Lawrenceburg, Kentucky (Wild Turkey Hill), United States
Production method
Typical Kentucky straight bourbon production: use of water naturally filtered through the region, proprietary yeast, non-GMO grains (corn, rye, malted barley), sour mash fermentation and continuous column distillation. The distillate is bottled after a period of maturation in new American white oak barrels with a high level of char.
Distillation
Continuous column distillation (continuous still)
Ageing
Aging in new American white oak barrels with char level No.4 ("alligator"); use of historic rickhouses for maturation and periodic tasting until maturity (Wild Turkey states it does not release anything under 5 years for many of its expressions).
Characteristics
- Type
- Distillery
- City
- Lawrenceburg
- Categories
- bourbon
- Kentucky straight bourbon
- rye whiskey
- bourbon-based liqueur
- historic whisky producer
- Raw materials
- corn
- rye
- malted barley
- proprietary yeast
- water (Kentucky River, filtered through limestone)
- Casks and ageing vessels
- New American white oak - char level No.4 (alligator)
- Representative products
- Whisky Wild Turkey 101 Proof 100cl
- Whisky Wild Turkey 101 Proof 70cl
- Whisky Wild Turkey Bourbon 70cl
- Whisky Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit S.B. Lt.1 - Giftbox
- Whisky Wild Turkey Longbranch 100cl
- Whisky Wild Turkey Rare Breed Cl.70 - Tube
- Wild Turkey American Honey 70cl
What makes it distinctive
- Production at the Wild Turkey Distilling Co., Lawrenceburg (KY)
- Historic Master Distillers: Jimmy Russell and Eddie Russell (father-son duo)
- Use of proprietary yeast and non-GMO grains
- Aging in new American oak barrels with char No.4
- Part of the Campari Group since 2009
- Range that includes bourbon, rye and the American Honey liqueur