Wild Turkey’s experimental Master’s Keep series finally lands in Singapore, together with this year’s addition to the Kentucky distillery’s annual release.
It is no secret that Singaporeans prefer Scotch whisky to bourbon and rye whiskey — a quick look at the inventory of Scotch that local bars stock compared to bourbon and rye illustrates clearly enough where Singaporeans stand in the dichotomy. Perhaps, the impression that Scotch is ‘for the purists’ also plays into this phenomenon, but such narratives are rather baseless, on closer examination. Ultimately, a good tipple is a good tipple, regardless of whether it is Scotch, bourbon or rye — distinguishing between them should come as a result of personal preference, rather than superficial concerns surrounding what one’s preference signals.
That said, it is puzzling how bourbon and rye whiskies are not more popular here, especially considering their sweeter profile compared to their Scotch counterparts. Further taking into account the heritage and tradition that bourbon and rye distilleries possess and incorporate into their spirit, it becomes clear that they can definitely hold a candle to their Scotch counterparts.
Take for example Kentucky-based bourbon distillers Wild Turkey. Within the world of whisk(e)y, be it Scotch, bourbon or rye, long-serving master distillers are a rarity — father-son master distiller duos even more so. The duo at the helm of Wild Turkey have both. The distillery’s father-son Master Distiller team comprises Jimmy Russell — whose 60 years in the industry marks him as the longest-tenured, active Master Distiller in the global spirits industry — and his son, Eddie, who is chiefly responsible for the creation of the Master’s Keep series. Between them, they share nearly a century’s worth of industry experience, that shines through in the balance between traditional excellence and tasteful experimentation that is the Master’s Keep series.
The name Wild Turkey might conjure up mental images of rugged American landscapes, but beyond the series’ experimental nature, there is nothing wild about it — the expressions in the series are refined embodiments of the pioneering spirit that drives Wild Turkey.
Beginning with Unforgotten, the expression has quite the memorable backstory — a crew member accidentally mixed a batch of young rye with with a barrel of mature bourbon in 2010, and the idea stuck in Master Distiller Eddie Russell’s mind. The product — over a decade later — is a high-proof, extra-aged blend of straight bourbon and rye whiskies, finished in rye casks for a secondary ageing period. This experimental blend is a treat for the senses — the expression is fruity on the nose, with notes of caramel and oak wafting through. This translates into oaky caramel notes on the palate, together with dried fruit and a hint of honey. As expected of the expression’s 105 proof (52.5% ABV), the finish is peppery but not overwhelming.
Continuing on the journey, Voyage is — personally — the most interesting expression in the series. The product of a partnership with Dr Joy Spence of Jamaica’s Appleton Estate rum, the expression comprises a batch of 10-year-old bourbon hand selected by Eddie Russell, and finished in some of the finest, ex-14-year-old pot still rum casks. Hand picked by Dr Joy Spence and shipped to Wild Turkey’s Kentucky distillery for the finishing process, the journey these casks undertake informs the expression’s name. The result is a harmonious blend of both bourbon and rum notes — on the nose, sweet aromas of tropical dried fruit mingle with caramel and oak, leading to a burst of tropical sweetness on the palate, with top notes of vanilla and oak seguing into fruity rum cake. At 106 proof (53% ABV), the finish also packs a fair amount of heat, but is balanced out with a note of sweet marzipan.
The latest addition to the Master’s Keep series, the Triumph is a demonstration of the distillery’s fine craftsmanship when it comes to whiskey-making. The expression is the oldest age-stated rye whiskey produced by the distillery to date, having undergone a decade’s worth of maturation — a feat that’s made all the more impressive considering rye whiskies are notoriously difficult to produce, and are generally aged for only about five to six years. Inspired by his son’s love for rye whiskey and its contemporary revival, the latest fruit of Eddie Russell’s labour is easily the best in the series thus far. On the nose, sweet, fruity notes of vanilla, apple, and pear translate to a rich vanilla top note on the palate. Sweet honey and clove notes then reveal themselves, transitioning into dark chocolate, with a hint of spice creeping in right at the end, foregrounding what comes next. On the finish, dark chocolate notes turn to earthy, mocha-coffee with a dash of oak. In a pleasant surprise, despite the Triumph’s 104 proof (52% ABV), the finish is exquisitely smooth, and delightfully warm.
The Wild Turkey Master’s Keep series is now available in limited quantities in Singapore. For more information and enquiries, click here.
Once you are done with this story, click here to catch up with our June/July 2024 issue.