Wild Turkey has been one of the bourbon industry’s most important players since the brand launched in 1942, and its 101-proof bourbon shows that bottles don’t need to be allocated or expensive to be great. But the Lawrenceburg, Kentucky distillery continues to experiment, especially via its annual, limited-edition Master’s Keep series. Master’s Keep launched in 2015 and was born from Master Distiller Eddie Russell’s desire to push the boundaries of traditional bourbon-making by experimenting with aging techniques and finishes.
The latest release is Wild Turkey Master’s Keep Voyage, a new bourbon crafted by Russell in a first-time collaboration with Dr. Joy Spence, the renowned Master Blender of Appleton Estate Jamaican Rum. Combined, the duo has more than 80 years of experience.
This 10-year-old bourbon was finished in Jamaican rum casks, marking the first rum cask finish in Wild Turkey’s history. It’s bottled at a stout 106 proof and began hitting retail shelves this month.
To begin the process, Dr. Spence hand selected some of the best casks at Appleton Estate. They previously held 14-year-old pot still rum and were chosen for their potential to best complement the bold top notes and rich caramel undertones of Wild Turkey bourbons. The casks then made the voyage to the Wild Turkey Distilling Co. in Lawrenceburg, where Russell selected a batch of 10-year-old bourbon that had been aged in Wild Turkey’s classic, heavily charred oak barrels.
The bourbon was put into the rum casks and left to mature in the hot Kentucky rickhouse, which imbued the spirit with tropical accents alongside classic American whiskey notes. It’s full of fruits, caramel, black pepper, and aged oak, with a warm, long-lasting finish of chocolate and spice.
“Every year, we look forward to the release of Master’s Keep as an opportunity to rethink what our bourbon can be,” said Russell. Wild Turkey Master’s Keep Voyage is a perfect example of synergy. It builds on the brand’s classic profile without losing its identity. The rum notes are evident, but not overpowering.
Wild Turkey Master’s Keep Voyage is available nationally at select retailers, and bottles carry a suggested retail price of $275.
