Wild Turkey 101 is one of the most iconic and beloved bourbons on the market. With its high-rye mash bill charred oak barrel aging and signature kick, Wild Turkey 101 has been a go-to straight bourbon for generations of whiskey lovers. But just how long does it take to make a bottle of this quintessential American whiskey? Let’s take a closer look at the aging process behind Wild Turkey 101.
Overview of Wild Turkey 101
First, some background on Wild Turkey 101. This bourbon is produced by the legendary Wild Turkey Distillery located near Lawrenceburg, Kentucky. Wild Turkey 101 is bottled at 50.5% ABV (101 proof), earning its numerical moniker.
The mashbill for Wild Turkey 101 consists of 75% corn, 13% rye, and 12% malted barley This high rye content gives Wild Turkey 101 a spicy, robust flavor profile. After distillation, the bourbon is aged in heavily charred new American oak barrels. This aging period is where Wild Turkey 101 develops its signature complexity and flavor
Minimum Aging Time
According to the Wild Turkey website and other sources, Wild Turkey 101 is aged for at least 6 to 8 years before bottling This means you won’t find any whiskey younger than 6 years in a bottle of Wild Turkey 101
The minimum 6 to 8 year aging provides enough time for the bourbon to mature properly and extract flavors from the charred oak barrels. Shorter aging periods would likely result in a whiskey with harsh youthful notes and lacking the depth of mature Wild Turkey 101.
Factors that Influence Aging Duration
While 6 to 8 years is the minimum aging time, there are several factors that can influence the actual duration:
-
Batch Variation: As a large batch-produced bourbon, there is natural variation between different bottling batches. Some batches may hover closer to 6 years old while others feature older 8 year old whiskey.
-
Barrel Location: The location of barrels in the warehouse impacts maturation. Barrels aged on lower floors see larger temperature fluctuations, accelerating their aging.
-
Master Distiller Input: The master distiller samples barrels regularly before determining if they are ready for Wild Turkey 101 or need more time. This sensory input guides aging time.
-
Supply and Demand: During periods of high demand or low inventory, Wild Turkey may need to bottle batches slightly younger than the target 8 years.
So while 6-8 years is considered the standard, you may find subtle differences in maturity across various batches of Wild Turkey 101.
Does Extra Aging Improve Quality?
An interesting question is whether aging Wild Turkey 101 for longer than 8 years would improve the bourbon’s quality. According to most experts, Wild Turkey has found the optimal sweet spot for aging their 101-proof whiskey.
The rich, oaky notes reach their prime within 6 to 8 years. After that point, the bourbon risks over-oaking and losing the vibrancy and balance that makes Wild Turkey 101 special. While you may stumble upon a 9 or 10 year old single barrel that shines, most 101 aficionados feel the standard minimum aging hits the right mark.
How Aging Changes Wild Turkey 101’s Flavors
The 6-8 year maturation period gives Wild Turkey 101 enough time for the whiskey to pull optimal flavor from the barrels. Here’s a look at how the aging process impacts the bourbon’s flavor profile:
-
0-3 Years: The very young whiskey has hot, grainy notes and astringent oak qualities. Marks the aggressive first steps in maturation.
-
4-6 Years: The bourbon develops more mature notes of caramel, vanilla, and baking spices. The oak becomes more integrated. Still somewhat raw.
-
6-8 Years: The sweet spot. Richer caramel and vanilla combine seamlessly with the oak. Rye spice pops and the whiskey gains superb balance and complexity.
-
9-12 Years: Deep, heavy oak dominates. Robust dark fruit and tobacco notes emerge while the livelier notes slowly fade. Risk of over-oaking increases past 10 years.
It’s clear that 6-8 years marks the peak for flavor complexity, vibrancy, and balance for Wild Turkey 101’s maturation. That perfect combination of corn sweetness, oak richness, and rye punch comes together in exquisite fashion right in that 6-8 year window.
How 101 Compares to Other Wild Turkey Bourbons
As one of Wild Turkey’s flagships, 101 sits in an interesting place in their lineup when it comes to aging:
-
Wild Turkey 81: Aged 6-8 years, same as 101
-
Russell’s Reserve: Minimum 10 years for the line, up to 13 years for special editions
-
Kentucky Spirit: Aged 10+ years as a single barrel expression
-
Master’s Keep: Varies by release, often 12+ years
As you can see, 101 hits the minimum aging mark for the core Wild Turkey range. Bourbons like Russell’s Reserve and Kentucky Spirit push the boundaries into the 10+ year range. This positions 101 as the everyday bottling highlighting the distillery’s classic flavor profile.
Legal Regulations on Bourbon Aging
In addition to Wild Turkey’s internal standards, there are some legal regulations regarding bourbon aging in the United States:
- Bourbon must be aged in new, charred oak containers. This is crucial for bourbon’s color and flavor.
- There are no federal minimum aging duration requirements for bourbon. Producers set their own standards.
- To be labeled “straight bourbon whiskey” there is a minimum aging requirement of at least 2 years. Wild Turkey 101 exceeds this.
- If under 4 years old, a straight bourbon must list an exact age on the label. For 4+ years, simply “straight bourbon” can be listed.
So while US law only provides a framework, Wild Turkey abides by more stringent internal guidelines to create the ideal flavor profile and complexity for their 101 whiskey.
Enjoying This Iconic Bourbon
Part of what makes Wild Turkey 101 so beloved is knowing the care that goes into slowly maturing this bourbon. While the aging duration can vary from 6 to 8+ years depending on the batch, the minimum 6 years ensures you’re drinking a properly matured whiskey.
That signature kicked-up rye spice and charred oak depth doesn’t happen overnight. It takes years of patience to achieve. Now that you know just how long it takes to age Wild Turkey 101, you can truly savor the flavor story in each sip. The next time you pour this iconic high-rye bourbon, raise a glass to master distillers who have been perfecting its maturation process for decades.
HOW TO DRINK WILD TURKEY 101
101 is the perfect bourbon for an old fashioned cocktail. where lower proof bourbons can fade from the spotlight, 101 stands up so the flavor of the bourbon doesn’t get lost in the cocktail.
HOW WE MAKE OUR 101 BOURBON
For over 60 years, Wild Turkey has been making 101 the same way, the right way. Aged in American White Oak barrels coated in the deepest alligator char, Wild Turkey 101 has an impossible-to-miss character. It’s high rye content and the 101 proof makes it a most flavorful Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey that carries a bit of a pleasant bite to it – making it highly enjoyable neat, on the rocks, or in a cocktail.
A hint of sweet upfront with vanilla and caramel notes. Oak and baking spices in the middle
Vanilla with cinnamon and oak
Bold, signature Wild Turkey spice and orange peel
101 proof aged between 6-8 years
Beverage Tasting Institute 90 Points, Gold
San Francisco World Spirits Competition Gold Medal
Ultimate Spirits Challenge 90 Points
Wild Turkey 101 Is The Best Value Bourbon Under $30 (And Here’s Why)
FAQ
How long is turkey 101 aged?
Wild Turkey 101 is distilled from a mash bill of 75% corn, 13% rye, and 12% malted barley, matured of 6 to 7 years with some 8 year old bourbons in the blend.
How long has Wild Turkey 101 aged in barrel before bottling?
For more than 60 years, legendary Master Distiller Jimmy Russell has been crafting Wild Turkey 101 with a recipe unchanged since before Prohibition. This Wild Turkey has been aged for at least 6 years before coming out of the barrel at 109 proof.
Is Wild Turkey 101 top shelf?
For a borderline bottom-shelf whiskey, Wild Turkey 101 is surprisingly complex and flavorful. It’s loaded with aromas of toasted vanilla beans, peppery rye, oak, and gentle spices and a palate of caramel corn, vanilla beans, cracked black pepper, cinnamon, and oak.
Is Wild Turkey 101 a good Bourbon?
The vanilla lingers on in the aftertaste, but otherwise the wind-down is simple, warm, and lasting. Wild Turkey 101 isn’t fancy, nor should it be. Jimmy Russell, the living legend master distiller at Austin-Nichols, is very particular about the kind of bourbon he likes and this is his standard example. What Turkey 101 is instead is just plain good.
How old is Wild Turkey 101?
Early batches contained 18 or 19 year old barrels as well! Wild Turkey 101 12 year was also rumored to use much older barrels as well – perhaps in the 14 to 15 year range. So it’s not a stretch to imagine that Wild Turkey 101 8 year has older barrels in the blend too, probably as old as 10 years.
Does Wild Turkey 101 12 year taste like wild turkey?
Last year in November, Wild Turkey 101 12 Year finished second-place in my Most Memorable Whiskey of the Year (2022) competition. That bottle seemed like it came out of nowhere and landed an arrow straight through my heart. Its complexity and profile left me shocked; it didn’t even taste like Wild Turkey to me.
How old is Wild Turkey bourbon?
But the fact of the matter is that it’s about 4 times as much money as standard bottle of Wild Turkey 101 – a product that is already a blend of 6 to 8 year old bourbon anyway. It’s no secret that when Wild Turkey puts an age statement on something, that it usually has barrels that are much older in the final blend.
Is Wild Turkey 101 the right way?
For over 60 years, Wild Turkey has been making 101 the same way, the right way. Aged in American White Oak barrels coated in the deepest alligator char, Wild Turkey 101 has an impossible-to-miss character.
How old are wild turkey barrels?
It’s no secret that when Wild Turkey puts an age statement on something, that it usually has barrels that are much older in the final blend. Take Russell’s Reserve 13 Year for instance. 13 years is the minimum age of the barrels in the batch. Early batches contained 18 or 19 year old barrels as well!