Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit Single Barrel Bourbon Whiskey

A quintessential expression of classic Kentucky bourbon, Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit Single Barrel delivers bold, rich flavor with remarkable balance and clarity. With robust caramel and vanilla notes set against deep spice and oak character, it’s a bourbon that stands proudly on its own or as the centerpiece of elevated sipping and thoughtful cocktails.

Origins & Craftsmanship

Produced at the iconic Wild Turkey Distillery in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, Kentucky Spirit is bottled straight from individual barrels — not blended with other casks — at barrel strength. This means each bottle reflects the unique expression of its barrel’s maturation, proof, and flavor profile.

Wild Turkey’s legacy starts with a classic bourbon mash bill — high in corn for sweetness, with rye adding structural spice and malted barley lending depth and texture. The spirit is distilled using traditional copper stills, then aged in new charred American oak barrels where the limestone-rich Kentucky climate works its alchemy: wood expands and contracts with seasonal swings, drawing out flavor and texture.

Kentucky Spirit is selected by Wild Turkey’s master distillers for optimal aging and flavor concentration, then bottled uncut and unfiltered. The result is a bourbon that expresses full, rich character unrestrained by dilution or blending.

Critics Reviews & Scores

93–96 Points — Whiskey Advocate & Industry Panels
Critics consistently praise Kentucky Spirit for its layered complexity and depth, highlighting how barrel strength amplifies the distillery’s core character without harshness. Descriptors often include deep caramel, spiced oak, and peppery rye alongside nuanced fruit and toasted grain.

94 Points — Independent Spirits Critics
Reviewers emphasize its silky, mouth-coating texture and long, resonant finish that carries both sweetness and spice. Many note how its balance makes it both excellent for neat sipping and for craft cocktail applications where rich character is needed.

Across professional commentary, the consensus positions Kentucky Spirit as one of Wild Turkey’s standout single-barrel offerings — powerful yet polished, intense yet approachable.

Tasting Profile

Nose:
Inviting and rich with caramelized brown sugar, toasted oak, and vanilla bean. Beneath, hints of dried fruit, orange zest, and baking spice (cinnamon, clove) lend aromatic complexity.

Palate:
Full-bodied and layered. Deep caramel and toffee open the palate, shifting into rich molasses, dark honey, and orchard fruit. Rye-driven black pepper and clove spice emerges with oak influence, lending structure and resonance.

Finish:
Long and warming, with oak spice, tawny sweetness, and a gentle pepper warmth that lingers without overwhelming. The finish’s breadth and balance underscore the bourbon’s depth and maturity.

Serving & Cocktail Ideas

Neat or On the Rocks
Best savored neat or over a large ice cube to appreciate the evolving aromatics and long finish.

Barrel-Strength Manhattan

• 2 oz Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit

• 1 oz sweet vermouth

• 2 dashes Angostura bitters
  Stir with ice; strain into a chilled coupe; garnish with Luxardo cherry.

Smoky Old Fashioned

• 2 oz Kentucky Spirit

• ¼ oz simple or demerara syrup

• 2 dashes orange bitters
  Stir with ice; serve over a large ice cube; garnish with orange peel.

Quick Overview