I wanted the reader to know exactly how we felt after sampling Wild Turkey Rare Breed so I figured I would start off with a definition.
Underwhelmed – un·der·whelm (ŭn’dər-hwělm’, -wělm’) tr.v. un·der·whelmed, un·der·whelm·ing, un·der·whelms To fail to excite, stimulate, or impress.
- Dictionary.com. The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, 2004.
Wild Turkey Rare Breed is advertised as a small batch bourbon served at 
barrel proof. Barrel proof turns out to be an impressive 108. It is a combination of different barrels at 6, 8, and 12 year ages to provide bourbon in its purest form without any water added. Jimmy Russell at the Austin, Nichols Distilling Company in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky presented me with the opportunity to sample this ’straight from the barrel’ bourbon for the low price of $36 per 750ml. I selected a sample from batch number WT-03RB. As it turns out, we may have been better off with the 101 variety.
We uncorked the bottle and gave it a whiff. We were rewarded with a slightly sweet and mild tobacco aroma that warms the sinuses enough to let you know that this crazy chicken means business. As any bourbon drinker knows, the best way to enjoy your spirit of choice is with an ice filled tumbler and an attractive member of the opposite sex. Unfortunately, we were fresh out of the latter. So, we got down to business with the sipability test. The Rare Breeds starts off with a rich, slightly sweet and smoky flavor. However, the finish is where it earned most of its demerits. Smooth was the last word that came to mind after our first sample; honestly, harsh is the best description. One sip and there is no debate about the 108 proof claim. We moved on to the mixability test where the Wild Turkey made up some ground. We added a little Coke© to the tumbler and gave it another shot. The Coke© did an excellent job of smoothing out the finish, but we felt like the rich bourbon flavor was too easily diluted. With the real work of liquor sampling out of the way, I moved on to the fun stuff, the drunkability test. With the 108 proof confirmed by the first sip, I had high hopes for high marks in this category. Once again the Rare Breed left me disappointed, after four drinks I had only the slightest hint of a buzz. Now, it is a possibility that I am resistant to the effects of Wild Turkey; the result of the prodigious amounts of 101 consumed during my college years. However, that was more years ago that I would like to admit.
The conclusion of my testing left me with a feeling of buyer’s remorse. Drinking Wild Turkey Rare Breed is by no means an unpleasant experience; we just felt that it was not worth the $15 premium over the 101 variety. If you are looking for something a little different to sip on and do not mind a little extra bite, then the Rare Breed might be the choice for you. However, if you are looking for something extra smooth, your money might be better spent elsewhere.
Sipability – 6.0
Mixability – 6.5
Drunkability – 6.0
Hangover-ability – 8.0
Bang for the Buck – 4.5
Overall – 6.5 
Comments
If you like ‘Turkey, just stick with 101. Better taste/smell.
Rare Breed really appeals to someone who has been drinking very hard liquor for a very long time (some might say alcoholics). I very much prefer the finish of the 101 Wild Turkey to the Rare Breed. But, the initial taste of the Rare Breed is quality. I recommend taking the first glass straight over a few cubes of ice (one or two more than you would typically use for a bourbon). After that, I would recommend adding some water (READ: Defeating the ENTIRE purpose of buying a higher price/quality liquor).
Best advice: Stick to the 101. Its still pretty harsh for someone who loves whiskey as much as I do.
The Rare Breed is a GREAT bourbon. Just as I may like the Glenlevit and not the MacAllan. All in the eye of the beholder…
What a brain-dead review. Any bourbon review that involves mixing with Coke is questionable at best, but it just gets worse when you rate it based on how buzzed you felt. Rare Breed is a truly special spirit – it sounds like you simply aren’t up to it.
Wow, sounds like we struck a nerve with you there Tony. We mix any whiskey/bourbon that is not a single barrel product. Yes, there are some blended products out there that do not deserve the indignity of socializing with Coke or any other mixer. However, we needed to draw a line in the sand and stick to our rules because the “Hey this tastes like rancid foot fungus, lemme at some Coke” method is not very consistent. We did not think the Rare Breed was worlds better that the regular old 101. Fortunately, we have provided you an opportunity to express your love of Rare Breed and distaste of our review. Damn, aren’t we accommodating?
I never put ice in any Whiskey I drink, I can’t see the point myself. Just pour it into a glass and sip. Anyway I liked the Wild Turkey Rare Breed, I got it from my local along with a bottle of Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel. To my mind the Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel was the better of the two, hands down, but Wild Turkey Rare Breed is still a good drink.
Just uncorked a bottle from the box set I purchased partially for the glasses that came with it. What a flavour — this is perhaps my favourite bourbon to date: woody yet heavy, leaving a musty, leathery scent in the glass. A glass of it straight will put you in that special place from which I am typing this. A bit pricey in Virginia unfortunately — around $55 a bottle if I recall correctly (it’s been awhile since I purchased it; was planning to serve it up for a holiday party but didn’t get around to it). The box set comes with quite a handsome wooden box and two glasses.
Has anyone tried American Honey? If so what did you think? I like it but it gets a little too sweet for me after awhile. If you get time could you do a review on that? thanks
I have not tried it yet, but the bottle continues to entice me every time I go into the liquor store. It’s only a matter of time before we review it.
Kevin wrote:
#”Wow, sounds like we struck a nerve with you there Tony.”#
You struck a nerve with me too, you lightweight.
Maybe you oughtta stick with the rum-n-Coke.
Haven’t tried Rare Breed but been drinking a fifth of 101 every Friday for the last five month’s. American Honey is quite good it is not on shelves here though, an old liquor store I frequented had sample pints purchased and they went fast.. It is a little sweet but after a half pint it is just plain good.
Where do they find reviewers like you? Got to agree with the rum-n-coke comment. You’re tasting out of your league.
If drunkability is truly one of your criteria, you should have another taste test that is more appropriate for a whisky – the “throw back a shot” test. Or better, the “throw back a double” test. Does it warm you up immediately as it pounds your senses? Do your taste buds scream “oh yeah! Time for another!” ?? Does it rip the lining off your esophagus?
Lord help the bastid that pours coke into my turkey. That’s what the Jack drinkers do. I look forward to my first taste of the Rare Breed – gobble, gobble!
Shark- I think Kevin hit the nail on the head with this review. I’ve read all the bourbon snob reviews about how Rare Breed was a superior bourbon. As it turns out the snobs were wrong and these guys were right. Give me 101 or Knob Creek over this over priced garbage any day
if you’re going to flame reviews like this you should check the FAQ and realize that this site is made for average drinkers by average drinkers. considering that lots of bourbon drinkers like coke with their whiskey it would seem very logical to include a “mixability” portion in the review for all those people who would find it helpful, like me. thanks boozebasher!
Sorry I do not concur with your review….Wild Turkey Rare Breed is an awesome whisky.
You lost me when you talked about mixing it with Coke and adding ice…..
top notch bourbon. Makes a fantastic old fashion. But is lovely neat.
ekibastos…
ekibastos…
Bought a bottle yesterday and shared it with some friends. Not bad, although not my favorite either, but it did impress the guys I was drinking with (they won’t spend over $20 for a bottle so they pretty much stick with Evan Williams and Jim Beam). But after a round of drinks the harshness did force the others back to mixing it. All in all, not a bad drink neat, but I’m still a Woodford man.
I had high hopes for Rare Breed considering the praise it receives from bourbon aficionados. Wrong. It starts off with a rich, sweet tobacco flavor but the finish is way too hot and ruins what would be a great bourbon. Sorry, but I’d rather spend my $36 elsewhere.
great drink smooth with a good kick
My recommendation – Put the bottle in the freezer and drink it straight with no ice or (gasp!) Coke…you ruin the flavor of the whiskey by mixing it….enjoy it as it was made to be enjoyed.
It will clear your sinuses that is for SURE! The finish is something out of this world.
Even Master Distiller Jimmy Russell drinks it this way.
I drank Wild Turkey 101 for years, and this is far better. Well worth it.
Just tried Rare Breed for the first time last night. I had just written about 101 on my blog (click my name for routing) and was prepared to be disappointed because in my opinion 101 is pretty low end and I compared it to the Coors Light of Whiskey. Its better than Beam or Daniels, but just not as good as many top shelf brands out there. So I was expecting something similar in Rare Breed. Much to my surprise I liked it. I wouldn’t say it was better than a lot of whiskeys, but it has a good burn to it and a sweet flavor, and unlike the 101 I could actually taste the flavor and not just a hint of flavor. The addition of water to this whiskey really dilutes the flavor, so the barrel proofing is needed to get the flavor and spice notes of a truly good whiskey with the Wild Turkey distilling process. I will drink this whiskey again and I recommend it.
I tried a bottle of Rare Breed a while back. It scared my drinking buddies back to Evan Williams. I liked it, but for the price I’d rather have Woodford Reserve. And when I am in the mood for a “this’ll put hair on your chest” bourbon, I’ll stick with Booker’s over Rare Breed.
This is the best smoothest bourbon i have ever tasted. I don’t know why people say this is not smooth. It is probably one of the easiest to go down. Maybe if its not smooth enough, try and smirnoff ice or a mike hard lemonade!
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