Wild Turkey has certainly created a rare kind of rye.
For more than 250 years, Wild Turkey has been at the top of the bourbon food chain. But now they’re reaching for rye whiskey with creations like Wild Turkey 101 Rye, Russell’s Reserve 6 Year Rye, and of course, Rare Breed Rye. As the spicy little rye sibling to Wild Turkey’s Rare Breed Bourbon, and the only barrel proof rye for the entire brand, this rye has a big reputation to uphold. And luckily it does.
The initial smell of Rare Breed Rye is a strong mix of apple, caramel, and cinnamon, almost as if they bottled the smell of fresh apple pie. It may be a sweet start, but this bottle won’t let you forget that it’s a rye. The freshly baked apple pie quickly gives way to some delicious rye flavors with a pop of pepper, sweet clove, and tobacco for a bold palate combination. The finish revs up that pop of pepper into a full explosion with just an added hint of sweet, baking spices.
Even though Wild Turkey relies on the same mash bill for all of their rye whiskey products, they made something special with Rare Breed Rye. While the caramel, clove, and pepper notes reveal a family resemblance, Rare Breed still manages to stand out from the crowd.
Barrel proof in any whiskey can always be a bit of a risk, but in the case of Rare Breed Rye, it’s lent bold, complex flavors with just the right amount of heat.
Wild Turkey Rare Breed Rye is a delicious rye that we’d gobble up any day.
STATS: Wild Turkey Rare Breed Rye Whiskey
- Price for us: $60 for 750 mL
- Proof: 112.2
- Aged: NAS – A blend of 4, 6, and 8 year
- Distillery: Wild Turkey, owned by Campari
- Recommendation: Neat
