Review #242-244; Ryes #34-36: Wild Turkey Rye Showdown (101, RRSiB, and Cornerstone)

This is a semi-blind 3 pour Side by Side by Side of 3 of the Wild Turkey Release. The Wild Turkey 101 Rye, the Russels Reserve Single Barrel Rye, and the Wild Turkeys Masterkeep Rye release from this year.

A quick rundown of each release:

Note: Each Release shares the same barley legal mash bill, 52% Rye, 36% Corn, and 12% Malt.

Wild Turkey 101 Rye: This is a budget Rye offering, NAS but rumored to be a blend of 4-6year old ryes.

Russels Reserve Single Barrel Rye: A Single-Barrel, Non Chill Filtered offering from Wild Turkey, that is barrels around 6 years of age

Wild Turkey Master Keep Cornerstone: This is a limited release from WT of 9-11 year old barrels, released at Cask Strength, Non-Chill Filtered, with no coloring added

All that said let’s dive into these comparisons, of note the picture was taken after the tasting.

Central Ohio Glencairn

Nose: Sharp rye spice, ethanol, slight green apple, black pepper. Vanilla, slight toffee.

Palate: Medium, oily mouthfeel, Rye Spice, vanilla, light green apple, burnt brown sugar. Slight oak. Black Pepper.

Finish: Medium length, warm Rye Spice, vanilla, and oak, some allspice and black pepper.

Rating: 6/10

Guess: Wild Turkey Cornerstone

Reveal: Russel’s Reserve Single Barrel

“Blank” Glencairn

Nose: Rye Spice, slight corn sweetness, ethanol.

Palate: Medium mouthfeel, rye spice, vanilla, slight oak.

Finish: Shortish, Rye Spice, slight oak, a hint of acetone / sawdust.

Rating: 5/10

Guess: Wild Turkey 101 Rye

Reveal: Wild Turkey 101 Rye

Buffalo Trace Glencairn

Nose: Rye Spice, Green Apple, allspice, toffee, vanilla, black pepper.

Palate: Medium, oily mouthfeel. Rye Spice, Vanilla,

Finish: Medium Legnth, Rye Spice, Brown Sugar, Oak, Allspice,

Rating: 6/10

Guess: Russel’s Reserve Single Barrel Rye

Reveal: Wild Turkey Cornerstone

Well this was pretty par for the course based off the reviews that have rolled into r/bourbon since the release of the Cornerstone rye. I may be biased, as I am more of a fan of the higher rye content ryes moreso than the barley legal ryes. If you are a fan of the Wild Turkey Rye recipe, the Cornerstone is an excellent high end gift that is good, and I do enjoy Wild Turkey expirmenting, however after this semi- blind review I wish that Wild Turkey had no released the Cornerstone and instead was still doing RRSiB Rye Single Barrel picks.

Thanks for reading! What did you think of the WT MK Cornerstone?

1 | Disgusting | So bad I poured it out.

2 | Poor | I wouldn’t consume by choice.

3 | Bad | Multiple flaws.

4 | Sub-par | Not bad, but better exists.

5 | Good | Good, just fine.

6 | Very Good | A cut above.

7 | Great | Well above average

8 | Excellent | Really quite exceptional.

9 | Incredible | An all time favorite

10 | Perfect | Perfect