Wild Turkey Distillery is a whiskey distillery located in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky. It is owned by the Campari Group, and is the only American whiskey brand in their portfolio.
The company traces its history back to 1869, when the Ripy family opened the Ripy Brothers Distillery on Wild Turkey Hill in Lawrenceburg, KY.1Our Heritage – Wild Turkey In 1934, a grocery wholesale company called Austin Nichols began importing wine and liquor and sourcing American whiskey, ultimately purchasing from the Ripy distillery among other sources. Wild Turkey continued sourcing their whiskey from distilleries throughout Kentucky until Austin Nichols purchased the former Ripy distillery site in 1971.
The distillery is famous for its Master Distillers, the father-son duo of Jimmy and Eddie Russell. Jimmy Russell, also known as the “Buddha of Bourbon,” served as the Master Distiller for over six decades and has played a significant role in shaping the Wild Turkey brand. His son, Eddie Russell, has followed in his footsteps and currently serves as the Master Distiller, carrying on the family tradition and expertise in crafting exceptional bourbon. Both Eddie and Jimmy have been inducted into the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame.
In addition to its famous Wild Turkey 101, the distillery produces a range of other expressions, including Wild Turkey Rare Breed, Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit, and Russell’s Reserve. Each expression has its own unique characteristics and flavor profiles, appealing to bourbon enthusiasts with different preferences.
Brands
Whiskey
Mashbills
Wild Turkey has only two mashbills: one bourbon, and one rye. The bourbon recipe uses a 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley mashbill, while the rye uses a 51% rye, 37% corn, 12% barley mashbill.
