This bottling of Wild Turkey has been aged for at least six years before coming out of the barrel at 109 proof. The whiskey is only diluted slightly before bottling at 101 proof with plenty of pep.
The nose is quite subdued, yet there remains a beautiful toffeyed sweetness. Notes of toasty oak and melted vanilla ice cream, a touch of zesty citrus and butterscotch. The palate is full and rich with notes of cigar box sweetness, pepper, caramel, or ‘carmel’ should I say? Notes of honey on granary toast with a little melted butter. The finish is long and rich with spice and toast notes.
I'm drinking 101 tonight for the first time in about a year and I forgot how delicious this is. It's fairly spicy at first but after you taste it for a second there's a big sweetness to it. I've been drinking a lot of Knob Creek lately and the dirty bird has a lot smoother and longer finish. For the money I'm hard pressed to find a better bourbon. (But if you want to spend more on bourbon go for woodford)
The first time I tried some 101, i will say I did not approach with too much caution. Quite the throat scratcher as a previous reviewer stated. This isn't a bourbon that will make you sell everything you possibly own to get a drink, but I must say it is everything you'd expect from a whiskey. Very nice on the palate and the finish is even smoother, and stays. If anyone were to fall back home and say i don't know what to drink, this is definitely one drink that will not disappoint. Many say that buffalo trace is better, but I don't think so. They're very different, yet still hold that straight bourbon feel, and do it with great success. I will say that perhaps buffalo trace does finish a little more pleasantly, but doesn't stay as long as 101 does. Sipping 101 is more enjoyable to me than is Buffalo trace, but both are still fantastic. My verdict, 101 is that kind of drink you need after a long and hard day.
All you sissies cry baby's and complainers can keep too your crap drinks its a bourbon not a Canadian Irish or blended crap to those of you putting this in the same class as those its bourbon great bourbon...
I am about to open my forth bottle of 101 having been previously nurtured on the lower strength gobbler. This particular 'straight' is pure, clean and a throat tickler. It is one of those whiskies that does not appreciate being watered down or polluted with soft drinks. To be drunk as it comes, hot or cold, pure nectar. It’s difficult being unfaithful to 101 once you have tried it.
A really interesting fellow, so single-malty in the nose. In the mouth you have dried fruits and a cigar. Great finish based on tobacco leafs and white pepper. Elegantly dry in the aftertaste.
