The shipping on this Wild Turkey 101 8 Years Export cost nearly as much as the bourbon itself but being a WT mega-fan I had to bite the bullet and finally try it. I’ve had plenty of experience with 8-year-old Wild Turkey 101s that span decades, but the wonder and potential excitement contained in this possible UK gem had been eating at me for years… so I bought it.

The main question that might come up before we jump into this bourbon review is “what makes it so much different from the current Wild Turkey 101?” The answer is, about 2 years. The current WT 101 is a blend of ages, the youngest – and likely the bulk- being 6-years-old. This one carrying an age statement means the youngest, and likely all of it, is 8-years-old.

Was it worth the crazy price increase to get a taste? Let’s find out.

Wild Turkey 101 8 Years Export Review: Details and Tasting Notes

In Wild Turkey’s Words:

NA – they don’t talk about this one on their site and that’s a crying shame.

Details (price, mash bill, cask type, ABV, etc.)

Region: Kentucky, USA

Distiller: Wild Turkey
Mash Bill: 75% Corn, 13% Rye, 12% Malted Barley
Cask: New Charred Oak
Age: 8 Years
ABV: 50.5%

Price: $56 ($120 incl shipping from UK)

Tasting Notes

EYE
Caramel

NOSE
Oak, caramel, vanilla, baking spice, dried dark fruit, roasty notes and some light herbal and nutty notes.

PALATE
Oak, dark sweets, vanilla, complex spice, dried dark fruit and a touch floral and nutty with herbal and citrus hints.

FINISH
Med -> Oak, caramel, dark fruit and spice.

BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
Well balanced, medium body and a warm soft feel.

Wild Turkey 101 8 Years Export Review: Overall and Score

Good… but $120 (export) good? The Aroma is solidly oaky and held up by spice and sweets; Palate is so solidly “bourbon” it’s hard not to love with sweet and rustic notes playing out in harmony; Finish is good, but ends a little too quickly; wish it hung out a bit longer.

This is flat-out solid Turkey. Though I wish I had waited till my recent trip to England to buy it instead of buying it from TWE a year ago. It’s good, I’m enjoying every second of it and it’s hitting a solid path across the senses… but it’s not worth the price I paid to get it into the USA.

However, if the Wild Turkey 101 8 Years Export was available here, and it was priced appropriately compared to the typical WT 101, I’d be all over it. Bottom line, if you’re a WT fan and you see it while traveling, it’s worth a grab. If you’re a WT fan and you’re living in the US it’s hard to see it as worth the cost to get it here.

SCORE: 88/100 (B+)

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