Wild Turkey produces their bourbon from a mash bill which includes three grains: corn, barley, and rye. This mash bill is said to have a relatively high proportion of rye which gives the whiskey brand its signature spicy kick. Wild Turkey 101, rather than being bottled at the regular 40 % alcohol by volume is instead bottled at a higher proof, 50.5% alcohol by volume or 101 proof.
Although the spirit carries no age statement, the Wild Turkey Website informs us that this Kentucky Straight Bourbon is blended from whiskeys aged from five to eight years (minimum 5 years) in what the company refers to as their ‘famous #4 alligator char‘ American Oak barrels.
Here is a link to my full review of this outstanding bourbon whiskey:
Review: Wild Turkey 101 (Kentucky Straight Bourbon)
Please enjoy my review which includes a recipe suggestion from Campari (the brand owner), the Wild Mustang.
Chimo!
The Jose Cuervo Especial is available as both a Gold or ‘joven’ tequila and as a Silver or ‘plata’ tequila. These tequila spirits are not made from 100 % blue agave which means that they are referred to in the industry as “Mixto“. A Mixto tequila must have at least 51 % of its volume made from blue agave distillate, but the other 49 % can be distilled from other non agave sugars (usually sugar cane). Mixto is also subject to less stringent regulation with respect to additives such as sugar syrup and caramel. In the case of the Jose Cuervo Especial Gold, the information presented to me is that the joven spirit is made from a blend of reposado (aged) and younger tequilas. It is bottled at 40% alcohol by volume.
There was a time in the County of Red Deer that the county would use rye grain for erosion control on the Range Road near the farm where Ian Scott grew up (Range Road 13). Ian’s Dad who was born in the dirty thirties grew up learning not let anything go to waste so he harvested the grain that fall. Ian, being a bit of a curious young man was inspired to learn how to put that rye grain to good use and he began to research distilling with the aim to build his own still. Although the still was never built, an idea had been planted.
In the historic port of Barranquilla (Colombia), situated between the Magdalena River and the Caribbean Sea, three generations of the Riascos Family have been producing rums for over two decades. They apparently travel round the Caribbean sourcing their cane spirit which is matured using a solera system in used bourbon barrels. The rum they create, La Hechicera is distributed in Western Canada by the Phillips Distilling Co.. The brand promotes itself as a naturally ‘unpolished’ rum. What they mean by ‘unpolished’ is that no additives or sugar have been added to create a smoother flavour profile.
The Rum Howler Blog 