Review #613 - Wild Turkey Jimmy Russell's 70th Anniversary 8 Year Bourbon

Written By Me, My Wife & Whisky

To celebrate famed master distiller Jimmy Russell's 70th anniversary with the Wild Turkey distillery, the brand released this special edition of their 101 proof bourbon. It carries an 8 year age statement, though Wild Turkey's website specifies that this is a blend of 8 year old and 9 year old bourbons; it's still bottled at 50.5% ABV, and it was released in 2024.

Jimmy Russell started his career with Wild Turkey in 1954, and he rose from a role sweeping floor up to master distiller less than 15 years later. He oversaw creation of many of Wild Turkey's brands: Rare Breed, Kentucky Spirit, and the Russell's Reserve line, to name a few. For his 50th anniversary, more than 20 years ago now, Wild Turkey released another limited edition, a tribute bottle that carried a 15 year age statement - that bottle now sells for thousands on the secondary market.

In 2025, we've now seen a more permanent release of Wild Turkey 101 with an 8 year age statement; there will of course be some similarities to the classic Wild Turkey 101, as well. How does this special edition anniversary bottling fare?

Wild Turkey Jimmy Russell's 70th Anniversary 8 Year Bourbon

USA - Bourbon

Price: USD 75 (2025)

Age Statement: 8 Years

Strength: 50.5% ABV

Details: Bottled 2024

Tasting Methodology: Reviewed 3 times over 4 months from a sample. Tasted in a nosing glass each time, rested 15+ minutes

Nose: Oaky to start - a little dusty, with a bit of grain funk as an accent scent. There are subtle fruit notes in the background: orange and cherries, then a tiny hint of tart stone fruit. Pecans add a nutty side, and at the end, we get vanilla and leather.

Palate: The mouthfeel has a medium thickness; this is nicely rounded, with plenty of oak, but also sweeter notes of brown sugar, some cardamom. The subtle fruits from the nose return: orange peel, tart cherry, and we get an increasing amount of tannins and toasted notes from the oak. In the background, there's a funky grain flavor.

Finish: Lots of leather now, along with stronger baking notes: brown sugar, raw sugar, vanilla. Almond butter, orange, and some prickly tannins add depth; it's a medium length finish.

Final Note: This is such a solid bottle - it's nicely rounded, without too many daring flavors, but it's just a good bourbon. Really shows that classic Wild Turkey character with the mix of sweet and dry notes along with the grain funk in the background, and while the oak in this bourbon is relatively strong in the palate, it's never too overwhelming, always allowing space for the details flavors to come through. Very well balanced bourbon, one we would be happy to sip any time.

Value is above average, too - this is essentially gone from the shelves now, as it was a limited release and was highly sought after. Still, secondary market prices are somewhat reasonable, and it's worth picking up a bottle.

Our Average Rating: 7.0 / 10

In the current whisky landscape of increasing prices and variable quality, we've added a value rating to our reviews that relates to the score and the available pricing of each whisky. This roughly equates to a 0-10 scale; no reviews so far have exceeded a score of 10, although it is technically possible for the formula to produce a value rating higher than 10 with a high enough score and low enough price.

Value Rating: 6.72

About Us: We're a husband and wife review team living in the Midwest United States. Generally, our reviews and tasting notes will be a compilation of both of our experiences with a whisky over several tasting sessions.

Me, My Wife & Whisky
Next

Review #612 - Claxton's Cameronbridge 30 Year Single Cask