Master’s Keep Beacon Review
In-Depth Review
It’s hard to believe that 2025 marks 10 years since Wild Turkey officially launched the Master’s Keep lineup with an inaugural release that featured a 17-year old age statement and an almost unbelievably low $125 MSRP. Fast forward to 2025, and the bourbon world is completely different. Today, limited releases seem to come from everywhere and everyone and regularly go for north of $300 dollars – on a good day. So, as Wild Turkey seems to announce new special editions every year– it begs the question: does Wild Turkey Master’s Keep really need to exist? It appears the Russell family may have already come to the same conclusion as Beacon has been announced as the final release in the series. And while there have been some absolutely incredible Master’s Keeps over the years – not all of them have been winners.
Enter Master’s Keep Beacon. For its farewell tour, Eddie Russell has partnered with his son Bruce to blend 10 year and 16-year bourbons that were aged at their Camp Nelson facility. Clocking in at 118 proof, this is one of the highest proof Turkeys ever; eclipsed only by Generations and Single Rickhouse Camp Nelson E. But with all that age and high heat comes an equally robust MSRP of around $325. I was lucky enough to find this in Tokyo, for a much more reasonable $200. But is it a worthy sendoff for the Master’s Keep series? Let’s dive in and find out.
Age: Blend of 10-year and 16-year Kentucky straight bourbon
ABV: 59%
Cask: New Oak
MSRP: $325 MSRP
Distillery Name: Wild Turkey
Review Date: 11/9/25
Color: Deep Caramel
Nose: Wow – immediately the nose blossoms into unmistakably big, bold Wild Turkey. There are strong layers of oak and caramel, balanced against warm spiced tea, dark orange chocolate, and fresh butter cake. There’s a whiff of dusty Turkey funk that really shows flashes of yesteryear, but it’s so nice and inviting, you’d easily forget it’s also 118 proof. After settling into the glass, there’s a touch of black licorice and nutmeg that rounds off its fantastic nose.
Palate: Just like the nose, the palate is full of layers. It starts with a bright and lively front end of vanilla, toasted sugars, and light fruits while the back of the palate dives deeper into cardamon, rye spice, cherry syrup, and fudge. Despite all of those notes, it can feel closed off at first. Adding a few drops of water, opens up more honey and mulled wine spices. The mouthfeel is medium bodied with good weight to it but falls short of incredible.
Finish: The finish is long and replaces the sugar and bright fruit from the palate with old, charred oak, candied orange peel, rye spice, and burnt shortbread cookie. After a few sips, the drying finish can border on bitter, with heavy doses of oak that are only tempered by adding a few drops of water.
Final Thoughts: Wild Turkey Master’s Keep Beacon may signal the conclusion to the series – but it seems that the Russell’s may have saved some of the best for last. With Beacon, it’s hard to know where to start: the nose is absolutely fantastic, with layers upon layers of classic Wild Turkey goodness while the palate is a multi-dimensional masterclass on what makes Wild Turkey such a fan favorite. The only slight disappointment might be the finish – where the heavy oak influence can – at times - border on bitter. There’s a rye spicy sweetness that pops throughout – akin to a strong Manhattan cocktail or old Willett single barrel rye. Don’t be afraid of adding a few drops of water here as it can go a long way to tamp down some of the oak on the finish – leaving more of a subtle spiced wood note than strong char. But after spending an evening with Beacon, it’s clear that this final expression is one of the most engaging and enjoyable entries in the Master’s Keep series – and a fitting farewell to one of the most underrated annual limited releases of the last decade. Yes, it’s expensive, but it may be one of the best Wild Turkey’s in years.
