Whiskey Review: Wild Turkey American Spirit

Wild Turkey American Spirit is a limited edition 15 year old bottled-in-bond bourbon released in 2007. There were 12,000 bottles released, and I found one of these in the wild a couple years back at the original $100 price tag. Generally, I am skeptical of Wild Turkey's limited releases, most of which have been fair at best. This one, however, was widely regarded as one of the best (the Tribute being the other), and I keep hoping to taste something from Wild Turkey that comes anywhere close to the 1980s 12 year old split label bottling I've had. My brother and I opened this bottle last Thanksgiving, and I haven't revisited it since. Before I finish it, here is the review for posterity's sake.

Price: $100(ish)

Proof: 50% ABV (100 Proof)

Age: 15 Years

Mashbill: 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% barley.

Color: Dark amber

Nose: Classic bourbon profile. Maple, roasted pecans, stewed cherries, leather, and vanilla . A pleasant mustiness like the smell of old library books.

Palate: Lovely oily quality. Rich corn sweetness at the front with toffee pudding and cinnamon spice, which gives way to loads of dry oak and pepper.

Finish: Dry and warm. Although the finish is long, there is very little sweetness that lingers. A little spearmint at the end.

Overall: B+

American Spirit is not overly complex, but it is a really good sipper. There isn't quite enough sweetness to match the wood, but until Wild Turkey decides to quit screwing around and release a 12 year old bourbon domestically, this is about as good of a Wild Turkey as you'll find. Sadly, that says a lot about the quality of the whiskey Wild Turkey is putting out these days.