Kentucky Spirit Single Barrel – Corona & Tampa Bay Whiskey Society
Quick Stats:
- Distiller: Wild Turkey
- Spirit: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
- Aged: Unstated
- Proof: 101
- Purchase Price: $49.95
- Wild Turkey Website
- Davidoff Tampa Website
About The Distillery & Bottle: - Established in 1850 as a general store, then going by the name “Old Moore,” in Tyrone, Ky. In 1869 the “Ripy Brothers” built the first distillery on Wild Turkey Hill. There, Wild Turkey was born, producing whiskey until this day. The new distillery opened in 2011 overlooking a beautiful ravine and Rocky Mountains.
- “Kentucky Spirit is a 101 proof (50.5% alcohol), single-barrel bourbon, with each barrel hand selected under the watchful eye of legendary Master Distiller Jimmy Russell. Known for being fuller bodied, with rich vanilla flavors and a hint of sweetness, it’s the perfect bourbon to enjoy neat. A complex layering of almonds, honey, blackberries, and leather gives way to a long, dark and lingering finish.”
About Davidoff Tampa: “Designed to be Cigar City’s destination of choice for those seeking the ultimate premium cigar experience. Visit us to enjoy only the best cigars and libations, featuring over 5,000 sq. ft. of humidified space, multiple lounges both indoor and out, and elegant full service bar with over 100 different spirits.”
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Nose
(5)
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Palate
(4.5)
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Finish
(4)
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Value
(4.5)
Notes & Review
Nose: Rich baking spice, vanilla cream, toasted tobacco leaf, sweet creamed corn, and roasted almonds
Palate: Leather, berry compote, black currant, candied orange peel, rye, tobacco, charred oak
Finish: Charred oak, leather, punchy rye
Review: Wild Turkey is one of those brands I used to drink as one of my affordable entry level pours, and have since gotten away from. However, whenever I drink a pour of 101, I always ask myself why I got away from it. It’s undoubtably and solid pour for the price, but I think the stigma of it being a “drink special pour” has clouded my judgement.
It’s easy to forget that Russell’s, a widely loved dram, is part of their portfolio. Now that I’ve gotten the opportunity to try their Kentucky Spirit, a middle-shelf entry by most casual drinker’s standards, I may find myself looking to sample some of their upper-end portfolio products.
The nose on this pour is insane. It noses out of the bottle like it’s been proofed down slightly, with the flavors being light, airy, and open. There’s a lot of sweetness on the nose in the front that opens to a more savory profile on the back end. I love pours that have a complex, yet easily discernable complex of notes.
The palate is very tasty with almost the profile of a nice blend tea. Toasted black currant and candied orange peel are a strong flavor combination that pop out right in the middle of the taste. It’s bookended by classic notes of leather, rye, tobacco, and charred oak. The pour finishes carrying through the toasted oak and rye notes in a good way, giving a bold but not overly spicy finish.
Overall, for the price point of $50, it’s a very accessible pour that’s best suited towards existing whiskey lovers, or those looking for a pour that’s balanced between savory and sweet.
For example, I’m not a massive fan of overly sweet pours. Fortunately, this one, while having sweet notes, doesn’t overpower the bold complexity of the dram.
If you’re in the Tampa Bay Area, stop by Davidoff to try a sample of their single barrel (available for purchase on-site). You can also grab a pour of the regular Kentucky Spirit and do your own side-by-side comparison while enjoying a nice cigar.
