Wild Turkey 101 is already bottled higher than most bourbons dare. Rare Breed asks what happens when you skip the dilution entirely. Introduced in 1991, Rare Breed is Wild Turkey's barrel proof expression — a blend of 6, 8, and 12-year-old barrels selected by Master Distiller Jimmy Russell, married together, and bottled straight from the cask at 116.8 proof with no water added and no chill filtering. Nothing is taken out. Nothing is adjusted. You get the bourbon exactly as it came out of the barrel.
The result is Wild Turkey at its most concentrated and revealing: the same high-rye mashbill and deepest alligator char that define the 101, but amplified by the undiluted barrel strength into something genuinely dense and complex. Warm caramel, charred oak, orange peel, cinnamon, vanilla, and a rich oily texture that coats the palate and lingers long after the finish. Rare Breed is the bottle seasoned bourbon drinkers reach for when standard proofs feel restrained — and at this proof-to-price ratio, it's widely regarded as one of the best values in American whiskey.
ABV / Proof
| Distillery |
Wild Turkey Distillery, Lawrenceburg, Kentucky |
| Master Distiller |
Jimmy Russell — over 60 years, longest-tenured master distiller in bourbon history |
| Type |
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Barrel Proof |
| Blend |
Blend of 6, 8, and 12-year-old barrels |
| Mashbill |
75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Barrel |
New American white oak with the deepest alligator char |
| Filtration |
Non-chill filtered — uncut and bottled straight from the barrel |
| Proof |
116.8 Proof |
| ABV |
58.4% |
| Bottle Size |
750ml |
| Country |
United States, Kentucky |
Tasting Notes
Nose: Warm caramel, toasted vanilla, orange peel and charred oak rise immediately, backed by baking spice — at barrel proof, the aromatics are immediate and assertive
Palate: Dense toffee and brown sugar lead into cracked pepper, cinnamon, and bold oak, with a rich, oily texture that coats the palate — complex without requiring effort to find the complexity
Finish: Long and powerful with lingering spice, dark sweetness and a dry oak grip that slowly tapers — the kind of finish that makes you hold the glass a while longer
FAQ
What does "barrel proof" mean?
Barrel proof means the bourbon is bottled at exactly the proof it reached in the barrel — no water is added after aging to bring it down to a standard proof. Most bourbons are diluted to 80 or 90 proof before bottling. Rare Breed comes out at 116.8 proof, which means you're getting a more concentrated version of the flavor, a richer texture, and a longer, more powerful finish than any diluted expression of the same whiskey could deliver.
How do you drink Wild Turkey Rare Breed?
Neat with a few drops of water to open up the aromatics is the enthusiast's preferred approach — the water releases compounds that the high proof keeps locked in. On the rocks works well too, allowing the proof to come down gradually as the ice melts. At 116.8 proof, Rare Breed is also exceptional in a Whiskey Sour or Old Fashioned where its intensity stands up to any other ingredient in the glass.
Where can I buy Wild Turkey Rare Breed online?
Available here at Liquor On Broadway — fast, insured shipping nationwide.
