Wild Turkey 101 8-Year Kentucky Straight Bourbon Returns as a Permanent Expression
Wild Turkey has thrilled bourbon enthusiasts with the announcement that Wild Turkey 101 8-Year Kentucky Straight Bourbon will officially return as a permanent addition to their U.S. lineup starting in 2025. Reviving the deeper-aged profile that once defined Wild Turkey 101’s earlier reputation, this release brings back richer 101-proof bourbon for a new generation of whiskey drinkers.
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Key Takeaways
Wild Turkey 101 8-Year bourbon will return permanently starting in 2025.
Bottled at 101 proof and aged in new American oak barrels with char #4.
Expected to retail between $50 and $60.
Fills a gap between Wild Turkey 101 NAS and Russell’s Reserve 10-Year.
Early allocations may arrive before full national rollout.
Reflects Wild Turkey’s renewed focus on tradition and transparency.
The Return of a Fan Favorite
Wild Turkey 101 has long been a staple of the bourbon world, known for its high-rye mash bill, bold flavor, and consistent quality. In earlier decades, Wild Turkey 101 sold domestically often featured whiskey aged 8 to 12 years, even if not always explicitly age-stated on the label.
Now, thanks to sustained fan demand and a renewed appreciation for age-stated bourbons, Wild Turkey is bringing back the 8-year-old age statement on their flagship 101 proof bourbon—this time as a permanent core offering rather than a limited release.
Mash Bill: Approximately 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley
Aging: 8 years in new American oak barrels, most with char #4 ("alligator char")
Proof: 101 proof (50.5% ABV)
Price: Suggested retail price of ~$45, with shelf prices expected to range between $45–$60 depending on taxes and market.
Availability: Permanent U.S. release beginning mid-to-late 2025, with small early allocations possible
Nose: Caramel, vanilla, baking spice, and light char
Palate: Bold toffee and caramelized sugars, layered with rich oak, cracked black pepper, cinnamon, and hints of dark cherry and dried fruit
Finish: Bold, warm, and lingering with sweet oak and spice
Image Credit: Wild Turkey Website
Why 8 Years Matters
The reintroduction of the 8-year age statement is more than just a nostalgic nod. Extended aging allows the bourbon to develop deeper flavors, greater barrel influence, and a smoother, more rounded mouthfeel. For Wild Turkey, it represents a return to emphasizing craftsmanship and patience in an increasingly competitive bourbon market.
Master Distiller Eddie Russell, speaking in recent interviews such as Breaking Bourbon’s 2024 YouTube discussion and Fred Minnick’s podcast, emphasized that this move reflects Wild Turkey's renewed focus on producing classic, mature bourbons that respect the brand’s historic character.
How It Compares to Other Wild Turkey Expressions
Wild Turkey’s portfolio is rich with beloved expressions, but the 8-Year 101 fills a distinctive space:
Wild Turkey 101 (No Age Statement): Still widely available, this version blends whiskeys typically aged between 6 to 8 years but lacks an official age statement.
Rare Breed Barrel Proof: A blend of 6- to 12-year-old bourbons bottled at barrel strength (usually 112–116 proof), offering intense, layered flavors.
Russell’s Reserve 10-Year Bourbon: A small-batch bourbon aged a minimum of 10 years, offering a slightly more refined and oak-forward experience.
The Wild Turkey 101 8-Year promises to deliver richer maturity and depth than the NAS 101 while remaining more accessible and robust compared to Russell’s Reserve 10-Year.
What's Next for Wild Turkey?
The reintroduction of the 8-Year 101 fits into a broader trend of returning to transparency, tradition, and aged statements in bourbon. It hints that Wild Turkey may continue to embrace older releases, limited editions, and heritage-driven expressions in the years ahead.
For now, fans eagerly await the chance to revisit a bold, age-stated Wild Turkey bourbon—made with the patience and character that built the brand’s legendary reputation.
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