In 2007 the United States Senate designated September “National Bourbon Heritage Month” emphasizing bourbon as America’s native spirit. Wild Turkey in partnership with the resolution released a 15 year 100 proof bourbon; Wild Turkey American Spirit (WTAS). When this was released, I passed it by considering the opening price tag of around $100 and higher at most retailers. The other reason I passed on this release is I had a fairly deep bunker of Wild Turkey 8 year 101 proof from the 80’s and 90’s that I picked up while dusty hunting in our nations capital. These older bottles cost around $20 or less a 750ml so paying 4 times that amount didn’t seem fiscally prudent at the time. Fast forward to January of 2011 and I’m sitting in Frederick, MD picking up some Van Winkle Family Reserve Rye; a fantastic 19 year old rye whiskey that is actually labeled 13 year (more on that in another posting). Once you depart Frederick MD, it’s pretty much farm land and older homes on large acreage. As I drive in this “middle of nowhere” heading back into Virginia, I spy a dilapidated building on the side of the road that has a two signs “Motel” and “Liquor”. To be honest, I’ve seen this place before but ignored it based on the rundown, creepy look of the place. I peel off the highway and park in the pot-holed parking apron and go inside. The place smells old but appears to be fairly clean and as I scan the store, I notice a good supply of beer and back to the left, a number of aisles of liquor. I head back and begin to scan the bourbon section and much to my surprise I spy a dusty bottle of Wild Turkey American Spirit. My focus is on the single bottle and I initially miss the other 4 boxes of American Spirit sitting right behind the bottle on display. Looking down at the big orange shelf tag, it’s listed at $65. A small smile crosses my lips as I realize this is a pretty good deal at 35% off normal retail. I grab all five and drop them on the checkout counter. A nice young girl gives a weird glance as I stack them up and begins to ring them up at $75 each. I correct the shown amount and declare the price is $65 and she says “well, it’s coming up as $75”. I show her the shelf tag and she states she has to call the owner who promptly tells hers to sell them at the displayed price. This store turned out to be a very nice establishment as they had a good selection of craft beer (Yeti Chocolate Oak Aged joined the WTAS), Single Malt Scotch and Irish Whisky and the prices were pretty reasonable.
Sometimes, the best finds are in the middle of nowhere.
WTAS is still fairly easy to find where I am ($79 usually). $65 per bottle is a very good deal. I also would have grabbed all 5 bottles at that price. I'm using an empty WTAS bottle as a decanter for some ORVW 10/107. You are a bad influence - I've got the itch to go dusty hunting again.
ReplyDeleteGood idea on bottle re-use. Another good bottle to use as a decanter is Rock Hill Farms. And yes, I've been told I'm a bad influence before.
ReplyDeleteMan, that's exactly what I've seen also. There are small, hidden gem stores with some great stuff. I always find the Pappy and others in these types of places.
ReplyDeleteBelieve it or not, I picked up a bottle at a local store here in Franklin, TN called Cool Springs Wine and Spirits for $46.99. That is NOT a typo. The local distributor was putting them out on the shelf when I was in there. I asked him how the still had these bottles (thinking it was a store employee). He said he was the distributor and they bought a boatload of it and found it at their warehouse here in Nashville. I just picked up 1 (there were 3). Wished I had grabbed a couple more.
Haven't opened it yet though Greg. How does it compare to Kentucky Spirit?
See, now you're tempting me. I haven't opened one yet but I have had a couple of nice pours at a friends house and can say I do like it better than the last WTKS I had. Since the WTKS is a single barrel, it can vary in appeal. I also have a WT Tribute from 2004 which was also 15 year. I may have to do a little comparison of a WTKS, WTAS, Tribute and Tradition (14 year old).
ReplyDelete$46.99?! Jason, you should have grabbed all three bottles. WTAS is a no brainer at that price. Getting the Tribute cost me - had to pay a local retailer a premium to get it (got 2 bottles). Am supposed to go through Narita in about a month. I plan on picking up a couple of bottles of WT12 and then doing a comparison of WT 12 yo (US and Japan), Tribute, AS and Tradition.
ReplyDeleteJWC - you just gave me a thought. I have a relative going to Japan in April so guess I'll have to get them to pick up a bottle of the Tribute.
ReplyDeleteGreg, did you mean the Japan WT 12yo or do they still sell the Japan market WT Tribute (the one in the WTKS bottle) in Japan? If so, retail or is it available in duty free? Looked online and it appears that WT 8yo and 12 yo is sold in duty free but wasn't aware that they had other non-US WT products available for sale in Japan currently. If so, I might have to get 2 bottles going and 2 different bottles coming back.
ReplyDeleteJWC - I was thinking the Tribute was still available but that may have had limited distribution just like the US release. I did a wild turkey tasting back in the spring of 2008 that included WT 8/101 dusty and export, WT 12/101 dusty and export and RR 10/101. If memory serves, the RR 10/101 was the winner.
ReplyDeleteSorry I'm late coming back. So JWC and Greg, it's clear I blew it in a big way not grabbing them all. Sadly I went into the store a week or so ago - all gone. I knew I blew it and you confirmed it.
ReplyDeleteGreg that little comparo sounds great. Let us know!
Jason - a friend of mine has all four of those WT bottles open so I may have to dip into his bottles to compare. I'm doing my best to not open any new bottles since I have somewhere north of 60 bottles open of various whisk(e)y. I just drained the last of an '88 Old Forester Bottled in Bond last night and that bottle has been open for at least 18 months. I'm a slow drinker so the open bottle collection is daunting. It makes choosing a daily pour somewhat of a chore.
ReplyDeleteGreg, oh to be burdened with your chores! Seeing your dusty hunting posts and pics, I can only imagine the great and difficult to obtain juice in those 60 + bottles.
ReplyDeleteI know...but somebody has to do it. And might I had, it's not all bourbon, there's "other" whiskey mixed in that lot.
ReplyDeleteGreg - have been waiting for a follow up on your comment regarding the Van Winkle Family Reserve Rye 13 really being a 19. Curious to know if it still holds true and what I actually have on the shelf.
ReplyDeleteI'll have to do some research to identify the letters that denote the specific year. I've heard two rumors; VWFRR is now back to 13 yrs OR it's tanked 19 year. I'll poke around and see what I can find out.
ReplyDeleteNo date codes on the bottles like the PVW15. Just what appears in handwriting at the top of the label. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteActually, there are some PVW15 bottles with a laser imprinted date on the bottle. Some of the ones I've seen are on the back typically right below the label although sometimes it's covered by the label. You may need a flashlight to see it. If you have the recent Fall 2011 release, it has the date code on the bottle.
ReplyDeleteI see the printed date codes on my PVW15 stock. Saw Sku's writeup on that. However, regarding the VWFRR13 there is no code to be found. On one bottle I have there is a handwritten code at the top of the label that says "B0915" in the slot for "No." and that is all I can find. Is 95.6 proof.
ReplyDeleteGo enjoy your Christmas!
Hey Greg - I am still seeing this WT American Spirit at multiple stores and I can get it for as low as $79. Do you consider it a great pour to add to ones repritore at that price point? Honestly, I really never go for WT products (besides the Rye 101) so I am not to familiar with it's flavor profile. It just keeps popping up everywhere I go, almost like a sign to just buy a bottle!
ReplyDeleteOh the burdens we bare. I love the stuff....you won't find many WT expressions with an age statement and finding one at 15 years is a treat. Everyone is different in what they like and the WT profile is on the spicy side (think OGD114). It's one of my favorite bourbons. So, just my opinion, for $79, definitely worth picking up. But, if you're not a Turkey fan, then probably not so much. At the very least, you can use it as trade fodder.
DeleteThis is running far more than $79 from what I see.
ReplyDelete