Review: Wild Turkey 81 Bourbon

81 Proof / 40.5% alcohol

Suggested Retail Price: $23 to $25 range / 750ml bottle

Wild Turkey 81 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Tasting Notes

Color: Dark side of gold with light reddish glow.

Aroma: Flat with usual bourbon notes of oak and wood. Slight dryness feel in the nose. Mild. No sweetness detected. Seems thin.

Tasted Neat: Quite a bit of burn naturally. Extremely light in field of sweetness. Warm. Thin. Falls a bit flat, non-descript. Vague orange peel.

Mouth Feel: Thin. Flavor and heat do not linger.

Comparable Spirit: Lower proof, drier rather than sweet mid range bourbons.

Possible Uses, Pairings and / or Cocktails:

Mixing bourbon or on the rocks pour for casual any day sort of use. Wild Turkey has many variations in its line. Experiment with the various levels to find one you like for how you use it.

Wild Turkey Rare Breed at 108.2 proof is one of my favorites for a bourbon based Bloody Mary. It adds just enough depth of flavor to compliment the cocktail rather than the usual brassiness a vodka Bloody Mary sometimes retains.

The Black Demure – created by Franky Marshall, Clover Club – New York

2 ounces Wild Turkey 81 Bourbon

1/4 ounce Crème de Mure

1/4 ounce Cointreau

3/4 ounce Fresh Lemon Juice

1/4 ounce Simple Syrup

Blackberry Garnish

Combine liquids in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to blend and chill. Strain into Old Fashioned glass over fresh ice. Garnish with blackberry.

Review sample provided by representatives of Campari America

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