Wild Turkey Rare Breed Adds A Barrel Proof Rye Whiskey Variant

Wild Turkey Rare Breed has long been a staple of the more premium side of the Wild Turkey whiskey portfolio, existing as a barrel proof bourbon that has garnered many an award and lots of praise from fans of this brand. This particular label is now being expanded with the addition of a new barrel proof rye whiskey.

The new Wild Turkey Rare Breed Rye, according to those behind it, is a blend of four-, six-, and eight-year-old non-chill filtered rye whiskeys that’s bottled directly from the barrels without adding a single drop of water to cut the proof. It is being made available as a permanent expression.

Besides being the latest Rare Breed, this whiskey is also the latest in a growing line up of rye whiskey from Wild Turkey, which also includes Wild Turkey Rye, Wild Turkey 101 Rye, Russell’s Reserve 6-Year-Old Rye, and Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel Rye. The distillery noted with some pride that it “was among the very few distilleries dedicated to the ongoing production of rye whiskey” even as “Prohibition and subsequent drinking trends caused the spirit to fall from favor.”

“At a time when rye whiskey is more widely appreciated than ever before,” said Eddie Russell, Wild Turkey master distiller, in a prepared statement, “Wild Turkey continues our longstanding tradition of offering a wide range of rye whiskies that lend themselves to a variety of cocktails and consumption occasions.

“As a rye aficionado himself, my son Bruce Russell was the catalyst for reminding me of the distillery’s relationship with rye whiskey and the value it plays within our portfolio. It’s with him and other rye fans in mind that we introduce Rare Breed Rye.”

Plans call for Wild Turkey Rare Breed, bottled at 112.2 proof, to be available at select retailers for around $60 per 750 ml bottle. Limited official tasting notes suggest that “sweet caramel apple gives way to complex layers of honey, vanilla, rye grain spice, and charred oak, followed by a smooth finish, where spices mingle with fruit and a pleasant fading warmth.”