When it comes to whiskey, the term “cheap” can have different meanings depending on who you ask. For some whiskey enthusiasts, cheap whiskey refers to lower quality, mass-produced brands that are made quickly and without much care. For others, cheap simply means inexpensive or affordable. While Wild Turkey may not be as expensive as premium, small-batch bourbons, it offers good value for the price point and is not considered a “cheap” whiskey by most standards.
Wild Turkey is a popular bourbon whiskey brand that was founded in Kentucky in the 1940s. It is distilled and aged at the Wild Turkey Distillery in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky. The brand is owned by the Campari Group, an international company based in Italy. Wild Turkey offers several expressions, including Wild Turkey 101, Wild Turkey Longbranch, and limited edition premium varieties like Master’s Keep and Kentucky Spirit. It is widely available at most liquor stores for an average retail price of $25 to $45 per 750ml bottle.
While Wild Turkey is inexpensive compared to small batch and single barrel bourbons that can cost well over $50, it has a reputation for being a smooth, high-quality whiskey. Let’s take a deeper look at what makes Wild Turkey a good value whiskey, and why most whiskey experts say it does not deserve the label of being a “cheap” spirit.
Production Quality and Processes
One factor that determines whether a whiskey can be considered cheap or low quality is how it is produced. Many inexpensive whiskey brands cut corners in the distilling and aging process to save on costs. This can result in thin, harsh tasting whiskey.
Wild Turkey is produced using high-quality processes and standards. The mashbill for Wild Turkey contains 75% corn, 13% rye and 12% malted barley. This is a fairly typical bourbon mashbill that provides a balanced flavor. Wild Turkey is distilled to a relatively low proof of around 125 proof, meaning it does not need a high volume of water added after aging. The whiskey is aged for at least 4 years in newly charred American oak barrels. These are all marks of a good quality bourbon.
Wild Turkey also operates its own cooperage and has tight control over the production of their barrels. These types of measures ensure consistency and quality of the whiskey year after year.
Wild Turkey Production Facts
Mashbill | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley |
Distillation Proof | Around 125 proof |
Age | A minimum of 4 years |
Barrels | Newly charred American White Oak |
Awards and Accolades
Wild Turkey has earned many awards and accolades from spirit ratings organizations over the years. This is another sign of its reputation as a quality bourbon. Some of the awards include:
- Double Gold Medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2021 for Wild Turkey Longbranch.
- Best Buy Whiskey of the Year award from Whisky Advocate magazine in 2018 for Wild Turkey 101.
- Double Gold medal for Wild Turkey Master’s Keep One at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2015.
- Rating of 93 from the Beverage Testing Institute for Wild Turkey Diamond Anniversary Bourbon.
These awards demonstrate expert whiskey tasters view Wild Turkey favorably compared to competitors and consider it to be a whiskey worth recognizing for quality and taste.
Heritage and Brand Legacy
Wild Turkey also has a long legacy as one of the major Kentucky bourbon distillers. It has been in continuous operation since the 1940s. The brand has roots in the Kentucky distilling tradition going back even further to the late 1800s. The Wild Turkey name is iconic in bourbon culture.
The distillery itself is a major stop on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail and welcomes visitors from all over the world to tour its facilities and learn about whiskey production. This helps position Wild Turkey as a legitimate, reputable whiskey brand with heritage.
Cheap, bottom-shelf whiskies are typically treated as commodities churned out in huge quantities without much history or tradition behind them. Wild Turkey has a sense of craftsmanship and legacy that sets it apart from cut-rate whiskey brands.
Blind Taste Test Performance
Perhaps one of the best ways to determine if a whiskey is considered high or low quality is through blind taste testing. When whiskey drinkers don’t know brand labels and judge the spirits based solely on flavor, does Wild Turkey stand up?
In many independent blind tastings, Wild Turkey performs well and beats out other whiskeys that may be considered more premium. For example, in a 2017 Mashable blind bourbon tasting, Wild Turkey 101 ranked 3rd out of 15 whiskies, ahead of many expensive small batch competitors. The panel of expert judges praised it for its balance and described it as “one of the great American bourbons.”
In a Business Insider bourbon ranking based on a blind sampling of over 50 bourbons, Wild Turkey 101 came in at number 5. It received an A- grade and was the second highest ranked moderately-priced bourbon in the lineup behind only Evan Williams Black Label.
The fact that Wild Turkey frequently rates highly during blind tastings where price is not a factor demonstrates its reputation for quality and flavor stands up.
Flavor Profile
Wild Turkey has a robust and complex flavor profile that bourbon fans enjoy. It is not viewed as having a thin, watery taste typical of cheaper whiskies. Reviews commonly use words like rich, sweet, spicy and oaky to describe Wild Turkey’s flavor.
As a high-rye bourbon, Wild Turkey brings a spicy kick compared to wheated bourbons. It mixes sweet vanilla and caramel oak flavors from the corn and malted barley, the spice and peppery rye notes, along with toasted oak tannins that develop during aging. There is a reason it is one of the top-selling bourbon brands globally – its flavor profile has wide appeal.
Common Wild Turkey Flavor Notes
- Sweet vanilla
- Caramel
- Spicy rye
- Pepper
- Oak tannins
- Toasted oak
- Rich mouthfeel
Perception of Value
At the end of the day, one of the key factors in determining whether a spirit is considered cheap or low-quality is its perceived value. Even though Wild Turkey has a low price point, it is not widely viewed as cheap whiskey.
It meets expectations for quality and flavor at its inexpensive retail cost. Whiskey fans, experts, and critics recognize Wild Turkey provides a great drinking experience and a balanced, complex bourbon. It’s positioned as an affordable go-to choice that over-delivers on enjoyment compared to its price.
This perception of giving drinkers a lot of return on their investment is why most people view Wild Turkey as good value whiskey, not “cheap” whiskey. Its combination of quality production, taste, and fair pricing set it apart from bottom-shelf whiskies.
Conclusion
Wild Turkey is one of the most popular and well-regarded bourbons on the market. While its pricing is low compared to small batch and single barrel bourbons, Wild Turkey offers a quality product with full flavor. Its use of high-standards in distilling and aging, consistent track record at spirit ratings competitions, brand legacy in bourbon culture, and complex taste profile demonstrate it is far from a “cheap” whiskey.
For the price, Wild Turkey delivers an enjoyable drinking experience that punches above its class. Most whiskey experts and consumers praise Wild Turkey as a solid, affordable bourbon – not a cheap attempt at copying real bourbon. So, while the price tag is budget-friendly, the whiskey itself deserves respect.