Wild Turkey unveils Generations Bourbon
Campari Group-owned Wild Turkey has released a new whiskey that combines three generations of Bourbon making.
The launch of Generation marks the first collaboration between three generations of the Russell family – Jimmy, Eddie and Bruce Russell, who together have more than a century of whisky-making experience. Bruce Russell has recently been appointed associate blender, while Jimmy and Eddie share the title of master distiller. Wild Turkey Generations is a blend of four hand-selected whiskies that showcase the varied palates, personal preferences and expertise of the three family members. It has an ABV of 60.4% and sweet notes of vanilla, caramel and dark cherry, which give way to warm notes of pepper and aged oak. Aromas of oak and vanilla are followed by floral and spice notes with hints of ‘baked apple, toffee and cloves’. Its finish is of ‘dark fruit and baking spice’ with notes of sweet toffee and oak. The bottle features the signatures of all three Russells. “With Generations, we set out to make a whiskey that was truly a celebration of family and bold spirit,” said Bruce Russell. “My dad always says we are more than the name on the bottle – and this was my first opportunity to bring my own point of view while also applying everything I’ve learned from him and my granddad. “We love this whiskey and are so proud of the story it tells.” With an RRP of US$450, only 5,000 bottles of Wild Turkey Generations will be available at select retailers in the US. For the blend, Bruce selected a bold 12-year-old Bourbon. Eddie prefers ‘softer honeyed, vanilla-laden’ flavours that typically come from older Bourbons, such as the 15-year-old and the 14-year-old whiskies that he and Bruce selected together. 'Highlight of my career' Jimmy chose a nine-year-old Bourbon that is consistent with the classic Wild Turkey profile. “I’ve made some great whiskies throughout my career, and Generations is going in my hall of fame,” said Jimmy Russell. “The experience of working with my son and grandson to create a blend that celebrates our family and tradition has been a highlight of my career.” Jimmy Russell is the longest-tenured active master distiller in the global spirits industry, having started working at Wild Turkey in 1954. Eddie Russell was inducted into the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame in 2010, joining his father who earned the prestigious recognition in 2001. “From the moment Jimmy, Bruce and I started talking about Generations, I knew we had something incredibly special on our hands,” said Eddie Russell. “Not only am I proud of the rich, intricate whiskey that we created, but I’m honoured to have worked alongside my son for his first release as associate blender. “Seeing his name etched into the bottle next to ours will forever bring me back to the memories we shared when creating this rare release.” Wild Turkey sales rose by 12.5% in the first six months of 2023. Earlier this year, Campari Group revealed plans for a new Wild Turkey distillery.
