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Release Notes
Blended from barrels of 6-12 year-old bourbon and bottled at barrel proof with no added water, Rare Breed has a rich, yet mellow flavour despite its high alcohol content.
The Whisky Exchange
3rd Party Tasting Notes
Nose: Soft, oaky, fresh earth. Peaches.
Palate: Toffeeish. Fruity. Raisins. Remarkably smooth, but packed with energy and power.
Finish: Creamy, aromatic.
Comment: This is more like a supercharged Wild One. Defiantly robust, but with Devilish charm. I love it.
Rating: 8.75/10
Palate: Toffeeish. Fruity. Raisins. Remarkably smooth, but packed with energy and power.
Finish: Creamy, aromatic.
Comment: This is more like a supercharged Wild One. Defiantly robust, but with Devilish charm. I love it.
Rating: 8.75/10
Michael Jackson, Whisky Magazine #10
Nose: Gorgeous honey, diced dates, old leather and rye with a teasing sprinkling of spice. Magnificent.
Palate: Massively intense launch, waxy honeycomb with fabulously controlled Demarara sweetness and an edge of rye.
Finish: Long lightly liquoriced with the honey hanging on, as does the rye and a soft build up of cocoa.
Comment: A big bourbon with the proportions being generous and almost perfectly proportioned.
Rating: 9.5/10
Palate: Massively intense launch, waxy honeycomb with fabulously controlled Demarara sweetness and an edge of rye.
Finish: Long lightly liquoriced with the honey hanging on, as does the rye and a soft build up of cocoa.
Comment: A big bourbon with the proportions being generous and almost perfectly proportioned.
Rating: 9.5/10
Jim Murray, Whisky Magazine #10
The Distillery: Wild Turkey
| Established: 1905 |
| Silent since: False |
| Address: 1525 Tyrone Road, Lawrenceburg, KY 40342-9619, USA |
| → website |
Wild Turkey is a brand of Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey distilled and bottled by the Austin, Nichols division of Campari Group. Its nicknames include "The Dirty Bird," "Gobble Gobble," "Bombed Tom," "Thunder Chicken," "Boat Gas" and "The Kickin" Chicke", the last being a reference to the 101 proof of its most common bottling, as compared to the 80 proof of standard bourbons.
Versions available in other countries include the 101 proof at 8 and 12 years old, a blend at 106 proof, an 86.8 proof and alcopops pre-mixed with cola or dry ginger.
One reviewer from Whisky Magazine, proclaimed that Wild Turkey 101 is, "A Clint Eastwood of whiskeys." It also earned an "Editor"s Choice" award from the same publication.
The Wild Turkey label carries a vividly printed, seemingly engraved illustration of its namesake. In the USA, six varieties of the bourbon are generally available: 80 proof, 101 proof, Kentucky Spirit, Russell"s Reserve, Rare Breed, and American Honey.
Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit is a single barrel version at 101 proof, the 10 year old named for Master Distiller Jimmy "The Muscle" Russell is 90 proof, and the Rare Breed is a blend of 6, 8 and 12-year-old stocks at 108.4 barrel proof.
The distillery is located near Lawrenceburg, Kentucky. It offers tours, and is part of the American Whiskey Trail and the Kentucky Bourbon Trail.
The Ripy brothers built the distillery at Lawrenceburg in 1905 and resumed distilling after Prohibition. The Ripys were bought out by the Austin, Nichols Distilling Co. in 1971, who in turn were bought by Pernod Ricard in 1980. On April 8, 2009, the Campari Group announced the acquisition of the brand and of the distillery from Pernod Ricard.
The Wild Turkey brand has also been extended to a 101 proof rye whiskey, made from a mash of 65% rye, 23% corn and 12% barley, and to a honey liqueur.
Trivia:
- On May 9, 2000, a seven-story warehouse in Anderson County, Kentucky was destroyed in a fire, spilling thousands of gallons of Wild Turkey into the Kentucky River. The alcohol spills killed hundreds of thousands of fish along a 66 mile stretch of the river. Wild Turkey paid $256,000 to the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife in an effort to restore the fish population in the river.
- Wild Turkey is mentioned in the 1972 book Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (as well as the film of the same name) and the 1973 book Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail "72. In Stephen King"s book It, when asked what the bar whiskey is, the bartender replies, "For everyone else in this dump it"s Four Roses, but for you I think it"s Wild Turkey." David Foster Wallace"s seminal novel Infinite Jest has James Incandenza as an alcoholic filmmaker and tennis academy head who drinks Wild Turkey; and in Scott Sigleru2019s science fiction book Infected, main character Perry Dawsey is described several times as drinking Wild Turkey.
- The bourbon is the drink of choice for adult male leads in Silver Bullet, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Bad Lieutenant, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, "First Blood", and The Punisher and Where the Buffalo Roam. It is also referenced in numerous films, including The Color of Money, National Lampoon"s Christmas Vacation; Thelma & Louise, Death Proof, Freddy Got Fingered, and Out Cold. Also, in the movie The Guardian (2006) Ben Randall (Kevin Costner) drinks Wild Turkey.
- NCIS routinely shows characters with a bottle of the product, and on occasion television shows have made references to it, including Buffy the Vampire Slayer (episode "Beer Bad") and The Sopranos (season 3, episode 10).
- "Wild Turkey" was the title of a 1982 top-ten country single for singer Lacy J. Dalton (the song employed the names of various whiskies as nicknames for drunken patrons in a bar). "Wild Turkey" is also the title of the track written and performed by weirdcore punk band, "The Cassavettes" in 2006.
- Wild Turkey is mentioned in the lyrics of the song "Sober" by Muse; in Ray Wylie Hubbard"s 1973 hit (w/Jerry Jeff Walker & others) "Up Against the Wall, Redneck Mother", and in ZZ Top"s "Arrested For Driving While Blind." Danny Barker"s version of "St. James Infirmary Blues" ends with "Now that you have heard my story, Mr. Bartender, would you kindly pass me that bottle of Wild Turkey whiskey because I"m a chronic alcoholic.
- Cowboy Junkies" -Where are you tonight- starts with "There"s a young man in the corner, playing crazy all night long.Quarters piled high upon the table.And he orders Wild Turkey with a quick wit and a smile."
from Wikipedia
The Owner: Austin Nichols
| Established: 1879 |
| Silent since: False |
| Address: 6981 Danville Road, Nicholasville, KY 40356-9594, USA |
Austin Nichols Distilling Co bought out the Ripys and took over the Wild Turkey distillery in 1971. They in turn were bought by Pernod Ricard in 1980 and finally taken over by the Campari Group in 2009 when Campari purchased both the Wild Turkey brand and the distillery from Pernod Ricard.
Austin Nichols was established by James E. Nichols and five former associates of Fitts & Austin in 1879 in Manhattan and quickly became on of the word"s largest wholesale grocery businesses. For a brief period Austin Nichols remained an extremely successful company and annual sales reached $40 million in 1920. Following the purchase of Acker, Merril & Condict in 1923, the company was sued by the FTC for monopolistic practices. These charges were dropped yet sales began to decline. All facilities were closed or sold by the late 1920s and the Brooklyn plant began to focus solely on the "manufacture and importation of their own products." Following the repeal of prohibition, Austin Nichols entered the liquor business in 1934. A rectifying plant was installed in the Austin Nichols warehouse to distill liquor and the grocery business was sold off to Francis H. Leggett & Co in 1938. The company prospered, selling both domestic and imported labels, including such producst as Grant"s Scotch Whisky, Metaxa, Charles Hiedsieck Champagne and Wild Turkey. The Brooklyn building remained the company"s principal location until the late 1950s, with executive and import offices, as well as warehouse and production facilities.
Austin, Nichols & Company, Inc. USA, is a distilling company producing several brands of beverages, including the Wild Turkey whiskeys. It is a division of Campari Group.
from Wikipedia, New York City reports
The Owner: Campari Group
| Established: 1860 |
| Silent since: False |
| Address: Via Sacchetti, 20, 20099 Sesto San Giovanni MI, Italia 02 249501 |
| → website |
Gruppo Campari is an Italian-based multinational producer of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. The group holds a portfolio of over 40 brands marketed and distributed in more than 190 countries. The group"s operations are split into three segments: spirits, wines and soft drinks.
In 2009 Gruppo Campari announced the largest acquisition in its history, buying the world"s top premium Kentucky bourbon whiskey, Wild Turkey. Along with the iconic Wild Turkey bourbon, American Honey liqueur, a honey and bourbon based cordial, joined the portfolio. In addition to bolstering the company"s share of the US premium spirits market, Gruppo Campari also strengthened its position in key markets including Australia and Japan. The Group also took ownership of the distillery in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky as part of the deal.
In 2006 Gruppo Campari acquired from Pernod Ricard Glen Grant, Old Smuggler and Braemar, along with the distillery where Glen Grant is produced in Rothes, Scotland. Glen Grant is the second single malt whisky brand in the world and the leading whisky brand in Italy. Thanks to this acquisition, the Group strengthened its presence in the spirits segment and officially entered the key Scotch whisky segment.
In December 2005 the Campari Group acquired the Teruzzi&Puthod winery in the Tuscan town of San Gimignano. Teruzzi & Puthod is one of the leading Tuscan wineries for the production of high quality wines sold in over 20 countries worldwide. The vineyard is one of the largest in Tuscany with 180 hectares of land, of which over 91 are cultivated as vineyards. There are over five different wines produced including: Vernaccia di San Gimignano, Vernaccia di San Gimignano Vigna Rondolino, Terre di tufi, Carmen Puthod and Peperino. Still in the same month, Campari announced to have signed an agreement to acquire Glen Grant, Old Smuggler and Braemar whiskies from Pernod Ricard, therefore officially entering the Scotch whisky category.
The whole of 2008 was characterized by a number of acquisitions in strategic emerging markets. In India, Gruppo Campari announced the acquisition of a 26% stake in Focus Brands Trading India Ltd., in an effort to become a player in the Indian spirits and wines business. In Mexico, Campari announced the acquisition of Destiladora San Nicolas, S.A. de C.V., a deal offering significant potential into Mexico"s growing market through a well-established production and distribution platform. In Argentina, the Group finalized the acquisition of 70% of Sabia S.A., which manages a portfolio of strong international and local brands and is one of the leading distributors in Argentina. Gruppo Campari purchased Ukraine-based CJSC - "Odessa Plant of Sparkling Wines", including a plant and a portfolio of sparkling wine brands led by Odessa.
In 2007 Gruppo Campari announced the acquisition of Cabo Wabo tequila (80% stake), one of the fastest growing tequilas in the luxury and super premium category. Cabo Wabo tequila was the brain child of rock star and tequila connoisseur Sammy Hagar that has been the creative driving force since its launch in 1998. With this acquisition Gruppo Campari adds to its already prestigious portfolio of luxury and premium brands a particularly interesting segment.
Anno 1904 the historic production site at Sesto San Giovanni is inaugurated, it will remain in operation until 2005 when the new state of the art production site is opened in Novi Ligure.
In 1926 Davide, Gaspares son, transforms the company by limiting production to the beverages that had a strong brand identity: Campari and Cordial Campari. Davide also dedicated his considerable energy and focus to give the company a progressive international presence that will make the brand be known across the world.
Gruppo Campari traces its beginnings back to 1860, with the birth of its flagship brand and signature, red aperitif beverage- Campari. Throughout the years, the brand has become internationally diffuse with the growth of its global distribution. As a result of industry consolidation in the 1990s, Gruppo Campari chose a route of international growth by way of acquisition. The past years have consisted not only of several strategic acquisitions but also of many distribution contracts that enabled Gruppo Campari"s continued organic as well as external growth and its entry into various country markets and product segments.
Gruppo Campari had its origins with the activities of the Campari family in 1860. Gaspare Campari invented, among dozens of products, the bright red, mid-proof aperitif that still today bears his name. The business started in downtown Milan at the historical Caffe Campari where the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is found today.
Gruppo Campari is the sixth-biggest player worldwide in the branded spirits category, operating principally in Italy, Brazil, the U.S. and in continental Europe. On April 8, 2009, Gruppo Campari announced its largest ever acquisition, the Wild Turkey brand from Pernod Ricard.
The shares of the parent company, Davide Campari-Milano, are listed on the Italian Stock Exchange. The Garavoglia family owns 51% of the share capital of the company.
In 1932 Camparisoda, the first single serve aperitif in the world, was launched. The bottle was designed by Fortunato Depero, one of the most famous futurist artists of the time. The iconic bottle, unchanged to this day, has become a symbol of everyday usable design objects in Italy and the world.
By the beginning of the Sixties, the Campari brands were distributed in over 80 different countries, and in another 30 years distribution will cover 190 countries across the globe.
In 2003 the Group acquired Riccadonna, the market leader in the Asti sparkling wine segment in Australia and New Zealand and with significant positions in the Italian and Portuguese markets. In December 2003 the Gruppo Campari announces the acquisition of Barbero 1891 S.p.A., owner of a wide portfolio of brands including Aperol, Aperol Soda and Barbieri liqueurs in the spirit segment, Mondoro and Enrico Serafino in the wine segment. Furthermore, in 2004 Campari entrusted Barbero 1891 with the distribution of the newly-acquired Riccadonna.
In 2004 Germany, Switzerland and Italy acquired the rights to distribute the famous Brazilian spirit, Cachaca 51. And Italy, followed by Germany and Switzerland, also acquired the distribution rights for Grand Marnier, the famous French sweet liquor that is distributed world wide. In 2005 a further distribution agreement between Campari and Brown-Forman led to the distribution of Jack Daniels, Southern Comfort, Woodford Reserve and Finlandia Vodka in Italy. In January 2006, Gruppo Campari begins the distribution of the C&C Group"s international spirits brands through Skyy Spirits in the USA (C&C"s largest international market), in Holland, Belgium and Luxembourg through its joint ventures, and in Brazil through Campari do Brasil.
In 1999 expansion continued with the launch of Pelmosoda, the first grapefruit-based branded soft drink, and the acquisition of Ouzo 12, the anise-based Greek spirit, market leader in its category and strong seller in Greece and Germany, as well as an emblem of Greek culture. In 1999 the Group also acquired Cinzano, among the global leaders in vermouth and sparkling wines and one of the most internationally known Italian brands.
In 2000 the Group acquired the Swiss distribution rights for Henkell Trocken sparkling wines and Gorbatschow Vodka from Germany"s leading sparkling wine group Henkell Soehnlein. The Gruppo Campari"s portfolio spans a range of sectors and markets: it represents a balanced selection of segments with varying levels of profitability in both mature and emerging markets. The brand value of the Group"s brands, their geographical spread and product variety in leading market positions are the main sources of the Group"s strength.
In 2001, expansion continued with the acquisition of important brands in Brazil and Uruguay, markets offering excellent growth potential, where the Group acquired leading brands like the Dreher aguardente, the Old Eight, Drury"s, Gregson"s and Gold Cup whiskies and the Liebfraumilch wine.
In 2002 Campari finalised the acquisition of a 100% stake in Zedda Piras S.p.A. (Mirto di Sardegna), owning a majority stake of 67.62% (increased to 100% in June 2003) in Sella & Mosca S.p.A. Both companies are based in Sardinia, Italy. In turn, Sella & Mosca S.p.A. owns 93.66% of Qingdao Sella & Mosca Winery Co. Ltd., a joint-venture located in China with local partners, which produces the Chinese wine brand Catai, and 100% of Societe Civile Immobiliaire du Domaine de la Margue, the domaine that manufacturers Chateau Lamargue, a range of high-quality French wines. The Zedda Piras acquisition added a leading brand to the Campari spirits portfolio, the integration of Sella & Mosca aimed at reinforcing the premium wine business.
The critical step, capable of converting the Group into one of the world"s leading beverage players, took place at the beginning of the Nineties. The sector was consolidating rapidly and the creation of global groups managing extremely wide portfolios had totally altered the world beverage landscape. Dramatic shifts in brand ownership and intense m&a activity took place as the sector"s players sought to maximise synergies. The Gruppo Campari faced a strategic choice: either to grow through acquisitions or fall back and defend a niche market.
The first step towards building a world class portfolio came in 1995 with the acquisition of the Italian business of the Dutch Group BolsWessanen. This brought a number of front-ranking names such as Crodino, Cynar, Lemonsoda, Oransoda, Biancosarti and Crodo.
In 1996 distribution rights for the Italian market (subsequently extended to Brazil) were acquired for the leading Scotch whisky brands Glenfiddich and Grant"s, as well as a licence to produce and distribute in Italy (and later in Brazil) Germany"s leading bitter, Jaegermeister. The year after the Group acquired distribution rights for Clan McGregor, Scotch whisky, in Brazil.
In 1998 the Group underwent a further expansion with the acquisition of a minority holding and world distribution rights (except for the USA) in Skyy Spirits, LLC, owner of SKYY Vodka, one of the fastest growing vodka brands in the North American market. This was part of a strategic alliance with Skyy Spirits, LLC which became the distributor for the whole Campari portfolio in the USA. Later in 1998 the Group gained the Italian distribution rights of Lipton Ice Tea, one of Unilever Group"s leading brands.
from Wikipedia, CampariGroup.com