Is this a thing? Wild Turkey Rye is back

[Robin Garr]

So says Business First. But ... is Wild Turkey Rye an item that people care about? I'm thinking it's no Pappy, but is this news?

Wild Turkey rye whiskey is back
Staff
Business First

For a year, a rye whiskey product from Wild Turkey's Lawrenceburg distillery was nowhere to be found.

Demand for Wild Turkey 101 Rye was so high that the distillery ran short of supplies, the Associated Press reported.

Now the whiskey is being reintroduced in limited stock. The brand will target bars and restaurants in 21 markets.

Story in Business First:
http://www.bizjournals.com/louisville/b ... 2013-11-20

Sounds to me like someone at Wild Turkey is trying to create a "buzz" where there wasn't and/or isn't one...

It's a thing! It's a big thing! The legit/reasonably priced rye-that-doesn't-suck market is EXTREMELY thin. Great news for craft cocktails.

Previously they had tried to take the proof down to 86 and it sucked ass.

These guys have recently invested about $100 million in the distilling, warehousing and packaging operations at Wild Turkey. They are also completing (or perhaps completed) a new visitors center. I was out there last year. It has undergone an almost complete transformation and expansion with, among other things, the return of bottling that was previously outsourced. This is a high stakes game.

So as a baptist preacher it may be surprising that Wild Turkey holds a special place in my heart. I grew up wandering around that distillery as my grandmother was one of the mash mixers. Anytime I smell yeast, my mind goes back to that place. She would control all the inputs into the mixing vats and have to get in there and clean out the huge tanks herself! It was a great joy to be able to go out there and press the buttons and turn the wheels to get a mix going as a little boy! The other highlight was going to the break room and getting hot chocolate out of the machine with the poker cups. Wild Turkey and poker! How did I become a preacher again? I'm glad to see they have invested so much into the plant recently. Lots of good people who are very hard working out there. I know this has nothing to do with the post, but thanks for the trip down memory lane!

Kris,
One of the best posts ever!!! Glad you have such wonderful memories

Whiskey geeks really like the 101 proof rye from Wild Turkey.

The 81 proof version is less than desirable and can be found on many clearance shelves.

Rye whiskey is hot right now with mixologists and in the big markets. Here in the bluegrass, bourbon is still king.

To put the comeback of rye whiskeys into a bit of perspective, two years ago I was down to carrying one Rye in our inventory, Jim Beam Rye. We carried it because of one dedicated customer to it. Every other rye that we ever tried never had any traction, as it was considered a drink of my grandparents generation, possibly the generation before them. Nobody wanted to buy it.

As in most things in life, what was old is now new. Thanks to the resurgence of the classic cocktail, we've seen a huge resurgence in Rye. I believe we now carry 15-16 different rye whiskeys at our Clarksville store, and 8-9 at our New Albany location. Its a different flavor profile than most bourbons, but mixes extremely well. We've got a few that I'll do neat just as I would a good bourbon. A good rye has a ton of character with nice spicy flavors. If you like a high rye bourbon, do yourself a favor and try out a 100% rye whiskey.

[Robin Garr]

We've got a few that I'll do neat just as I would a good bourbon.

Would you feel comfortable about sharing that list, Todd? I'd love to know your picks!

We've got a few that I'll do neat just as I would a good bourbon.

Would you feel comfortable about sharing that list, Todd? I'd love to know your picks!

Some of my favorites:
- High West Rendevous, a blend of two different rye's, a 16 year old and a 6 year old rye.

- Willett Straight Rye. We currently have the 4 year in stock, though we've had a 2 year old version in the past as well

- Jefferson's 10 Year, purportedly from the same stock of Canadian Rye that Whistle Pig is from. Same distillery, same barrels, $35 compared to $85. Again, I saw purportedly as no one will come out and say it specifically.

- Bone Snapper Rye, a 108 proof monster that is made specifically for our distributor in Indiana from LDI in Lawrenceburg, IN, and fortunately for us, its not available in Kentucky.

- Old Overholt - probably the best value of any of our ryes, it's an 80 proof version that is more of a mixer than for pouring straight, but it will hold its own against most other rye whiskeys, and at its price point, its a great place for people to start out.

Some of my favorites: ...

The Willett Straight Rye is excellent.

Brother and I bought a bottle during his visit from California after we sampled a flight of "Rye Not", three Rye Whiskeys served in shot glasses nestled in a Bourbon barrel stave at St. Charles Exchange.

Will have to pay you all a visit soon for a bottle of the Bone Snapper Rye and maybe a few others.

Thanks-Doug