Wild Turkey is expanding its portfolio with the addition of Wild Turkey 81 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. The first whiskey solely crafted by Associate Distiller and Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame member Eddie Russell, Wild Turkey 81 was developed with bartenders and consumers in mind, creating a truly mixable spirit that delivers Wild Turkey’s famous kick every time.
Wild Turkey 81 was born through extensive research—that is if you consider sitting in bars across America talking to bartenders and whiskey fans research. Having already collaborated with his father, famed Wild Turkey Master Distiller Jimmy Russell, on Russell’s Reserve Bourbon and Rye, Eddie wanted to create a spirit all his own that met the needs of today’s whiskey drinker, who is looking to experience bourbon with mixers and in classic, good-time cocktails more and more.
Wild Turkey 81 uses Wild Turkey’s famous high-rye mash for a spicy kick that lasts and lasts. Hand-selected American oak barrels from the Ozark Mountains receive an ‘alligator char’ before being filled at the distillery in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky. Wild Turkey 81 is the only bourbon in the category to use this expensive, deep char (also called a «#4 char»), resulting in extreme vanilla and caramel flavors that are hallmarks of a Wild Turkey Bourbon.
The filled barrels are placed in wood-rack warehouses that use no heaters or air conditioners, unlike others in the category. Wild Turkey 81 is a masterful blend composed primarily of six, seven and eight year old whiskies, making it the longest-aged bourbon or Tennessee whiskey in its class. The result is a whiskey with a deep, rich amber color, and a nose full of fruit, butterscotch, toffee and toasted oak. On the tongue, you discover cigar-box sweetness, caramel, vanilla and pear, with a long finish of rich spice notes and hints of toast.
Wild Turkey 81 shows up to the party wearing brand-spankin’-new duds, in the form of the first package change to the Wild Turkey family in nearly 15 years. The classic bottle shape remains the same, but the label gets a ‘badass’ makeover by Sterling Brands. It is cleaner and more aggressive than before, with the famous Wild Turkey symbol standing proud. The label gives a stronger nod to which Wild Turkey product you are about to enjoy—81 or 101—and shouts out our proud Kentucky heritage like never before. The new packaging will be featured with Wild Turkey 81, Wild Turkey Rye, and the kickass granddaddy of them all: Wild Turkey 101.
Wild Turkey 81 is priced at $19.99 (MSRP) and is available now in the US at bars, restaurants and spirits retailers in the USA. It will be supported by an extensive marketing campaign featuring print, outdoor and digital advertising, as well as a loud, badass social media campaign.