As a bourbon enthusiast, I’m often asked “Who makes Wild Turkey bourbon?” or “What is the history behind Wild Turkey bourbon?”. Wild Turkey is one of the most iconic and well-known bourbon brands, with a fascinating history going back over 100 years. In this article, I’ll give you a deep dive into the history, owners, and distillers behind this legendary Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey.
A Brief History of the Wild Turkey Distillery
Wild Turkey bourbon traces its origins back to 1869, when the Ripy family built the Old Hickory Distillery near Lawrenceburg, Kentucky. After Prohibition ended, the Ripys rebuilt the distillery and began producing bourbon again
In the 1940s, the Ripys supplied bourbon to wholesalers who bottled it under their own brands One of these wholesalers was Austin Nichols The legend goes that an Austin Nichols executive went on a wild turkey hunt and shared some warehouse samples of the Ripy’s bourbon. It proved so popular with his friends that they kept asking for more of “that wild turkey bourbon”.
Austin Nichols began officially bottling Wild Turkey bourbon in 1942. Even though they marketed it, Austin Nichols didn’t actually distill Wild Turkey at this time. They purchased bourbon stocks from various distillers, primarily the Ripy family’s Tyrone distillery.
In 1971, Austin Nichols acquired the distillery from the Ripys and renamed it the Wild Turkey Distillery. This marked the start of them producing their own distillate and owning the full process from distilling to bottling.
Over the subsequent decades, Wild Turkey grew to become one of the top selling bourbon brands in the United States. It passed through the hands of various parent companies and owners:
- 1980 – Wild Turkey was purchased by Pernod Ricard
- 2009 – Campari Group acquired Wild Turkey from Pernod Ricard
The brand portfolio expanded from the core Wild Turkey 101 bourbon to include premium and limited edition expressions like Russell’s Reserve, Kentucky Spirit, Rare Breed, and the Master’s Keep series.
In 2011, a new distillery was constructed for Wild Turkey near the old Lawrenceburg facilities. This brought the full production process back home after several years of the distillate being trucked to Arkansas and Indiana for bottling.
Who Owns Wild Turkey Today?
Wild Turkey is currently owned, distilled and bottled by the Campari Group, an Italian beverage company. Campari purchased the Lawrenceburg distillery and Wild Turkey portfolio from Pernod Ricard in 2009 for $575 million.
Under Campari’s ownership, Wild Turkey has invested over $100 million into the Lawrenceburg facilities. A new distillery, bottling hall, and visitor experience were all added. Jimmy and Eddie Russell, the son and father Master Distilling team, continue their lifelong connection to Wild Turkey during the Campari era.
Who Makes Wild Turkey? Meet the Master Distillers
While the brand ownership and business side has changed hands over the years, the real magic happens in the distillery. Wild Turkey has been blessed with multi-generational distilling talent.
Thomas McCarthy – The Godfather of Wild Turkey
Thomas McCarthy was the executive who came up with the Wild Turkey brand name on a hunting trip in the 1940s. He went on to become the first master distiller of the Wild Turkey Distillery from 1954 to 1971.
McCarthy laid down the distilling traditions that define Wild Turkey’s whiskey style to this day. Notably, he used a lower entry proof for the bourbon and employed a sour mash process.
Jimmy Russell – The Legendary Master Distiller
The heart and soul of Wild Turkey then and now is Jimmy Russell. Russell started at Wild Turkey in 1954 and became the master distiller in 1966. He has continued in that role for over 50 years!
Jimmy Russell is the longest tenured master distiller in Kentucky bourbon history. His technical expertise and palette helped guide Wild Turkey through its most iconic years.
Russell pioneered innovations like the split black cherry vanilla taste of the American Honey liqueur line. He created Wild Turkey 101 to highlight his preferred higher proof profile that became the brand’s flagship.
On Jimmy Russell’s 60th anniversary with Wild Turkey, Campari released a limited edition 8 year old bourbon in his honor. It was bottled at 101 proof and aged in Russell’s favorite rickhouses. A fitting tribute to the master distiller behind the brand’s rise.
Eddie Russell – Next Gen Master Distiller
In recent years, Eddie Russell has stepped up to support his father Jimmy as Wild Turkey’s co-master distiller. Eddie represents the 3rd generation of his family involved in Wild Turkey production.
He grew up learning from his father, starting as a relief night worker at the distillery while still in high school. Eddie Russell took over as distiller in 1981 and has been integral to maintaining Wild Turkey’s distinctive flavor and quality.
Together, Jimmy and Eddie Russell represent an unprecedented 130+ combined years of distilling experience. They are the keepers of the Wild Turkey flame, entrusted with carrying on the brand’s legacy.
Wild Turkey’s Distillation Process
So what exactly do Jimmy and Eddie Russell do to make Wild Turkey bourbon unique? Here are some of their signature distilling techniques:
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Lower distillation proof – Wild Turkey enters the barrels at 107 compared to 125-130 for most bourbons. This retains more flavor compounds from the grains.
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Sour mash – A portion of the previous mash helps balance acidity and consistency.
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Limestone water – The local Kentucky limestone water source contributes to Wild Turkey’s flavor profile.
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Barrel entry proof – Wild Turkey enters the barrel at a relatively low 107 proof which allows for deeper maturation over time.
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Age – Wild Turkey 101 Bourbon ages for at least 6-8 years before bottling. Longer aging periods are used for special releases.
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Warehouse rotation – Barrels are rotated periodically for consistent oak extraction.
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Bottled at 101 proof – Signature high bottle proof delivers bold flavor.
The culmination of these processes result in Wild Turkey’s distinctive tasting notes of spice, vanilla, caramel, honey, and leather. While the production methods uphold tradition, Jimmy and Eddie experiment with different barrel toasts and aging techniques to create new special releases.
The Russell family’s passion, expertise, and commitment to quality has made Wild Turkey one of the most award-winning and respected bourbon brands. They are truly Kentucky distilling royalty.
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Wild Turkey was founded in Lawrenceburg, KY in the 1940s and has been distilled there ever since.
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The brand has passed through different owners over the decades but is now owned by Campari Group.
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Third generation master distillers Jimmy and Eddie Russell are the heart and soul of Wild Turkey. Their 130+ combined years of experience create consistency and innovation.
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Signature distilling processes like a lower barrel entry proof and sour mash contribute to Wild Turkey’s distinctive flavor.
TRUST YOUR SPIRIT
Trust Your Spirit, featuring prominent musicians Shakey Graves, Matt Corby, and Yoohei Kawakami, tells the story of each artist’s journey to find their voice, following their instincts to create art their own way. The same is true in bourbon. Wild Turkey, under the leadership of legendary father and son Master Distilling team Jimmy and Eddie Russell, has been faithful to its iconic recipe and craft for decades. Trust Your Spirit is a bold and confident rallying cry that echoes the family ethos: the best results come when you do things your way, the right way.
Wild Turkey award-winning bourbons and ryes work perfectly in all cocktails, giving a distinct and intentionally bold taste.
HOW WE MAKE OUR BOURBON
The finest ingredients, select barrels, and the patience of our iconic Master Distillers. Put it all together and you’ve got real Kentucky Straight bourbon, made one way – the right way
Is Wild Turkey Bourbon WORTH The MONEY?
FAQ
Who owns Russell’s bourbon?
In 2009, Wild Turkey — and thus Russell’s Reserve — was acquired by the Campari Group, one of the largest companies in global spirits. Since the acquisition, Campari has invested over $300 million into expanding Wild Turkey and Russell’s Reserve’s production capacity.
Is Russell’s Reserve made by Wild Turkey?
1998. To celebrate Jimmy’s 45 years of service at the Wild Turkey Distillery in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, Eddie crafts a special small-batch bourbon that he calls Russell’s Reserve.
Is Wild Turkey made by Matthew McConaughey?
Wild Turkey introduces Longbranch, a small-batch bourbon refined with Texas Mesquite and American Oak charcoals, and the first co-creation from Master Distiller Eddie Russell and Creative Director Matthew McConaughey.
Is Wild Turkey a cheap bourbon?
It’s a blend of bourbons matured between six and eight years in charred American oak barrels. It gets its name because it’s 101-proof. And, if you haven’t figured it out, this popular bourbon is incredibly inexpensive.