Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit Single Barrel Whiskey Review:


Within some family circles, road-tripping is their summer tradition. Nothing but “Old MacDonald” and the open road. For others, there family tradition is a cabin in the woods. A secluded place to get away from the crowds and the sweltering summer sun. For my own family, it has traditionally been the ultimate American recreational summer holiday: camping. Sure, we have had our fair share of road tripping (quite American if I say so myself), back when we all were young. And we did enjoy a cabin every now and again back in the day. But camping by and large has always been the constant pastime that has stood the test of time and keeps bringing us together each summer, even now as we have grown up and started families of our own. It has been the driving force which lifts us out of the daily grind and hustle and bustle of life in the city. No cell phones. No electricity. And many times, no running water in the “bathrooms,” as my mother jocularly calls the outhouses.

Everyone loves the time they get to read, take a day hike, or even a have a midday snooze; but – we all know that the central joys of camping, besides the trees and stars (etc.) that surround you, is the food and drink that sit in front of you. Without the these two important aspects - You. Would. Be. Done. For. Remember: THIS IS NOT BACKPACKING. THIS IS CAMPING. The idea of camping is that one should throw away their relative notion of health and well being and simply eat, drink, and be merry. Don't cook gourmet. Don't pretend your at a wine tasting party. Don't worry about calories (if your into that sort of thing). Your trying to forget your worries, not bring them with you. Of course I am not suggesting that you should subsist on Butter Horns, Entenmann's Doughnuts, Swiss Miss Hot Chocolate, Hot Dogs, and Pabst alone. But just allow yourself to relax for once. (Besides, the Hot Dogs did come hand made from the Italian market down the street. And we may have snuck a few good bottles of wine, cheeses, meat, and whiskey into the dry box to even things out...)

So as I was saying... Tradition. Camping is a wonderful tradition that has been apart of our family and will hopefully always be. I plan on making it apart of my family, whenever my Lover and I start having little ones. The point being is that with all the old traditions come new traditions, and one developing as of late is every new camping trip my father and I will bring some whiskey for the other to taste. Neither of us knows what the other will bring. This particular trip I brought two bottles. One of which is Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit Single Barrel.

Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit Single Barrel Whiskey Review:

Price: From $49.99 for a 750ml bottle.

Packaging/Labeling: Classic and pleasant bottle with plenty of information of the particular bottle, barrel number, warehouse, number, rick number, etc. No age statement of any kind unfortunately.

Alcoholic Content: 50.5% abv, 101 proof.

Nose: Christmas spices, spicy vanilla, dry maplewood, fresh green apple.

Palate: Warming and fresh. Red hots and peppery spice from the rye. Huge rye. Apple and caramel candy lollipops. Long char finish. Dry as hell.

Conclusion: If you like a dry bourbon then this is something you will want to try. If you are on a cliff about it, I would suggest it as a dessert bourbon. In fact, that was what I thought when I first sipped this. Chocolate and/or something salty would really allow this thing to fly. I was really pleased with with the overall balance and presentation. If anything I would say, the barrel char may be a bit overbearing.

Rating: Excellent/Highly Recommended