Food & Wine reported on Tuesday that Wild Turkey Master’s Keep released its final expression, a blend of 16- and 10-year-old bourbons. The whiskey clocks in at 118 proof and hosts a suggested price of $300. Wild Turkey Master’s Keep releases are a joint effort between the members of the Russell family. Father and son duo, Master Distiller Eddie Russell and Associate Master Blender Bruce Russell, made this particular release.
“When we set out ten years ago to launch the Master’s Keep series, we knew we had something special, but I never imagined the journey it would take us on,” said Wild Turkey Master Distiller Eddie Russell in a statement from a news release. “Our first release was the most unique whiskey we’d ever released, and each expression since we’ve been able to share some of the rarest whiskies in our rick houses, all while staying true to who we are as Wild Turkey. Looking back a decade later I’m very proud of what we’ve created to date, and looking forward to what’s next.”
Both liquids are particularly significant. The Wild Turkey team distilled the 16-year-old bourbon between 2007 and 2008 before it spent time maturing to perfection at the original Wild Turkey distillery. It was one of the last few barrels to be pulled from the old facilities and served as an important reminder of when Eddie Russell was learning his craft during his formative distilling days.
As for the second component, Associate Master Blender Bruce Russell made the 10-year-old whiskey alongside his father and grandfather, Master Distiller and Bourbon Hall of Famer, Jimmy Russell.
“To see the series come full circle in the final release is something I’ll always be proud to have my name on,” said Bruce Russell, according to Food and Wine.
In May 2024, Wild Turkey released Triumph, a 10-year-old rye whiskey that was made by Eddie Russell and was inspired by his son Bruce’s love of rye whiskey. According to the brand, rye whiskey wasn’t very popular when Bruce was drinking it, so Eddie decided to lay away some rye whiskeys and release them at a later time. Triumph was Wild Turkey’s oldest age-stated rye to date.
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