Wild Turkey Rare Breed Rye Shelf Review

Shelf Review

Designed to give you all the quick hit information you need when you’re standing in front of your local liquor store’s whisky shelf.

It’s hard to believe that until recently, Wild Turkey didn’t have an ongoing barrel proof rye expression in their lineup. That changed in 2020 when they released Rare Breed Rye – a companion to their beloved Rare Breed Bourbon that’s loved the world over for bringing pure, unadulterated Wild Turkey to the masses. Rare Breed Rye is a non-age stated rye whiskey that is uncut and unfiltered leaving intact it’s high proof and full-bodied character. At least that’s what I hope. Let’s dive in to find out!

Age: Non-Age Stated (Blend of 4, 6, and 8 year whiskies)

ABV: 56.1%

Cask: New oak casks

MSRP: $60

Distillery Name: Wild Turkey

Review Date: 4/7/22

Nose: Strong herbal and floral notes. Rose, thyme, and sawdust. The ethanol is immediately strong but settles down after time in the glass. Wood shavings, pine cones, burnt sugars, and mint leaves. Not as expressive as I expected.

 Palate: Touch of funk with a very soft front palate. Citrus, lemon peel, and chalky white mints. Herbal and dry with moments of puff pastry and crumble pie. Lacks a deep complexity, and the alcohol is pronounced throughout the palate. Spicy, but the mouthfeel dissipates quickly.

 Finish: Finishes long but much hotter than I expected. A balance between cinnamon sticks and white peppercorn. More oak and char come through on the finish.

Score: 86 

Would I buy again? I’ll just come out and say it - Rare Breed Rye left me disappointed. While many other reviewers have given praise to Wild Turkey’s first barrel proof rye expression, I feel there’s a lot to be improved on from Batch 1. Its mouthfeel was thin, the alcohol too overpowering, and it was difficult to pick out intriguing flavors from the palate. It just felt like a typical rye. A bit bolder, but nothing special. I did a side-by-side comparison with Pikesville (mostly to make sure I wasn’t going crazy) and found that Pikesville blew it out of the water. Pikesville is cheaper, easier to find, better flavors, and a superior mouthfeel. Where Rare Breed was a stereotype, Pikesville excelled at bringing a more interesting profile to the table. I didn’t want to feel this way. But Rare Breed Rye simply doesn’t live up to the legacy of its bourbon brother.