Wild Turkey Rare Breed Bourbon Whiskey Review

As long as I’ve been old enough to buy whiskey for myself, my go-to bourbon has been Wild Turkey. I don’t remember exactly how that came to be, but if I was headed to a house party or a basement gig, I’d always pick up a pocket-sized bottle of Wild Turkey 101. The bold, spicy Wild Turkey flavor profile is what I’ve always considered to be quintessentially bourbon.

Wild Turkey 101 is still a staple of my home bar, but my taste in bourbon has evolved in the intervening years. I still have an affinity for the classic Wild Turkey profile, but I tend to gravitate toward higher-proof, more complex bourbons these days. Thankfully, there’s an affordable, easy-to-find bottle of bourbon that scratches that exact itch—Wild Turkey Rare Breed—and it may well be the best bang for your buck in all of whiskey.

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What Is Wild Turkey Rare Breed?

First introduced in 1991, Wild Turkey Rare Breed is a stronger, barrel-proof alternative to Wild Turkey 101. Since its introduction, the distillery has released a handful of different batches with slightly different flavor profiles and varying strengths. These batches are denoted by differences in proof, with the most recent clocking in at 116.8.

Rare Breed has never held an age statement, but according to the distillery, it consists of a blend of six-, eight-, and 12-year-old bourbons. That puts it right in the sweet spot for master distiller Jimmy Russell’s ideal age for bourbon. Beyond the proof, the addition of 12-year-old bourbon sets Rare Breed apart. The older barrels offer more depth and complexity compared to the younger Wild Turkey 101.

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Wild Turkey uses only one mash bill for all of its bourbons, so Rare Breed comes from the same mix of 75 percent corn, 13 percent rye, and 12 percent malted barley. The aging, blending, and most importantly, the proof point, are what make Rare Breed a unique whiskey.

Like most small batch offerings, not all bottlings of Wild Turkey Rare Breed have been equal in quality. Rare Breed 112.8 was notorious among enthusiasts for being a letdown. Thankfully, the distillery corrected course with its most recent batch, Rare Breed 116.8. The latest iteration is a return to form for the label.

What Does Wild Turkey Rare Breed Taste Like?

Rare Breed is packed full of classic bourbon aromas and flavors. On the nose, there are aromas of toffee, red apple, and dark cherry bolstered by orange zest and a little cinnamon. On the palate, the whiskey explodes with notes of salted caramel and maple with a hint of citrus and a whiff of barrel char to balance the rich sweetness. The trademark pop of clove and cinnamon on the mid-palate is a reminder that the whiskey comes from Wild Turkey and further tempers the rich caramel flavors. Its mouthfeel is mildly viscous and velvety with a lengthy and spicy vanilla-forward finish.

Rare Breed is a bourbon for people who love bourbon. In my point of view, it’s one of the purest expressions of what a Kentucky Bourbon should be. It hits on all of the classic notes without pulling any punches.

I’m not alone in feeling this way about Rare Breed. It’s well known in bourbon circles that Jimmy Russell—who just celebrated his 70th year making bourbon at Wild Turkey—prefers a glass of chilled, neat Rare Breed as his go-to drink.

How Much Does Wild Turkey Rare Breed Cost?

Many full-flavored, high-proof bourbons are available on the market right now, and some are just as satisfying as Rare Breed. The thing that truly sets this bourbon apart is value.

Whiskey prices vary depending on the market, but Rare Breed is readily available in most areas for between $45 and $60 a bottle. At that price point, I instantly replace my bottle almost as soon as I finish. It’s more affordable than direct competitors like Elijah Craig Barrel Proof and Buffalo Trace Distillery’s George T. Stagg. It’s also much easier to find on store shelves, too.

This nexus of rich flavor, proof point, price, and availability is extremely rare in today’s competitive bourbon market. Wild Turkey Rare Breed is one of the rare bottles that sits right at that sweet spot, which has made it a favorite of bourbon drinkers who just want something truly delicious at a fair price.

Last year, I was able to visit the Wild Turkey Distillery for the first time. I had the rare opportunity to buy a bottle of bourbon in the gift shop and have it signed by Jimmy, Eddie, and Bruce Russell, all three generations of the family who make whiskey at Wild Turkey. When it came time to select a bottle, the choice was obvious — it had to be Wild Turkey Rare Breed. After all, if it’s good enough for Jimmy Russell, it's sure as hell good enough for me.

Wild Turkey Rare Breed Straight Bourbon Whiskey

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