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"Rich and mouth-filling—this is Jimmy Russell’s favored dram, and we can see why." - Whisky Advocate
For Bourbon fans, there's nothing like the limited releases from Wild Turkey and the famed Russell family, and every time a new one hits the market, there's a mad rush (and subsequent shortage). So, it was no exception last year when the distillery finally, after more than 30 years, released the 8 Year Old 101 Proof in the U.S. market. It's not necessarily a "new" release in the traditional sense, since it's been sold abroad since 1992. However, American bourbon aficionados had to go the extra few thousand miles to get their hands on it, until late last year.
The 101 Proof we all know and love is, of course, a blend of bourbons between six and eight years of age, and while that recipe hits for what it is, it is definitely not age-stated 8 Year Old, as this bottling more than proves. As Whisky Advocate notes, this was always Jimmy Russell's go-to, but now the blending is handled by the next generation, namely Associate Master Blender Bruce Russell, who brings his own fine touch and style to the finished product. The 8 Year Old offers plenty of classic Wild Turkey character in a version that's a clear step up over the NAS 101, yet it also offers a more approachable profile (and easier price tag) than the barrel-proof Rare Breed, so it slots in perfectly in the Wild Turkey range at its sub-$40 price.
The only problem is that the supplier keeps running out, and while we've assured that more is on the way, and that it will be a regular core item come 2027, that's a long time to wait, so you might as well get your hands on one now, and hedge your bets on one of the top bourbon value releases of 2025. | 
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