Table Of Contents
The Details
| Rating | 95 |
| Style |
Rye American Whiskey Whiskey |
| Produced In |
Kentucky United States |
| ABV | 52% |
| Availability | Limited |
| Price | $275.00 |
| Reviewed By | |
| Review Updated | 2024-05-29 |
Wild Turkey Master's Keep Triumph Review
Since it launched in 2015, Wild Turkey’s Master’s Keep series has been the distillery’s go-to line for adventurous takes on premium expressions, be it via age, blending, or finishing. The newest such whiskey — dubbed “Triumph” — is the second Master’s Keep rye and the oldest age-stated rye whiskey in the distillery’s history.
At 10 years old, Triumph might not seem like it carries a momentous age statement. But master distiller Eddie Russell is keen on showcasing whiskeys at the peak of their maturation periods without tipping over into overly oaked and tannic. In a virtual Q&A session, Russell detailed that the barrels in this release ranged between 10 and 12 years old; he simply wasn’t satisfied with Wild Turkey’s rye as it progressed beyond a dozen years.
Russell was also inspired by his son Bruce, who currently serves as an associate blender at Wild Turkey. The youngest Russell — a third generation employee following his grandfather Jimmy and father Eddie — Bruce is known on social media as “Russell’s Rye Guy” and has a public fondness for that particular style of whiskey.
Triumph is bottled at 104 proof. Let’s see how it stacks up!
Wild Turkey Master's Keep Triumph Rye: Stats and Availability
Master’s Keep Triumph is a limited release with a suggested retail price of $275. According to Wild Turkey, the bottling will be available in “select U.S. markets via online presale” in June 2024, as well as brick-and-mortar retailers. The Master’s Keep series has been a popular one among American whiskey fans, and it’s not unusual to see it command a premium on top of retail or secondary prices; I’ve routinely seen previous Master’s Keep editions go for upwards of $350 in major metro markets.
Wild Turkey Master's Keep Triumph Rye Review
As with all of VinePair’s whiskey reviews, this was tasted in a Glencairn glass and rested for at least five minutes.
Nose
Hearty rye spice gets the ball rolling on the nose, bolder and more peppery than many “Kentucky-style” rye whiskeys at just above the legal threshold of the grain. That said, it’s a far cry from most of the herbal, dill-forward rye whiskeys coming out of Indiana’s MGP (normally with a 95 percent rye mashbill). That’s not a knock against a high-rye mash; it’s just clear from the start we’re dealing with a different profile entirely.
Coarsely ground black pepper and allspice link up with tiny pops of star anise and cloves; the effect is similar to Chinese five-spice powder, though slightly lighter on cinnamon. Right after that spice comes an interesting, confectionary scent of bubblegum cotton candy, just lightly fruit and sweet. Already, Master’s Keep Triumph is showcasing noteworthy breadth on the nose, likely a testament to both the aging environment and complexity of the predominant grain.
Over time, that spun candy sweetness calms down, evolving to something a bit less artificial smelling. That’s coupled with a light menthol quality drafting off the pepper-heavy spice. It’s ultimately close to honey cough drops, both sugary and cooling in the nostrils.
Taste
Spice led the nose, while dark, dried fruit rules the early palate. Jammy elements include figs, blackcurrants, and mulberries. Shredded coconut is an uncommon — though frankly delicious — note that hints at decadent macaroons. The rye also conveys a rich, nearly-chocolate element, though to me it’s closer to toasted coconut and sweetened condensed milk than cocoa itself.
Clove, vanilla, and pralines are up next, the rye continuing on a nice stride through a midpalate rich in traditional sweet wood and rye spice. At 57 percent ABV, oak plays well with the underlying grain notes here, the whiskey feeling like it’s hitting the bullseye for both age and proof.
Sweet cream, anise, and light pepper bookend the palate, doing just enough to remind us which grain is in the driver’s seat.
Finish
If the palate only hinted at chocolate, the finish displays it front and center. Dark cocoa coats the tongue and back palate, becoming slightly more tannic. It gets close to drying and maybe cedes just a little too much flavor to the barrel here, the rye grain itself losing some luster in the process. A mild burst of herbaceousness at the very end is just barely too late to counteract that drying note.
The palate was fantastic, and the finish lags maybe a quarter step behind. To be clear, that’s a relatively minor gripe about a great whiskey, one better than the overwhelming majority of rye on the market.
Wild Turkey Master's Keep Triumph Rye Rating
95/100
Recap
Wild Turkey is finally pushing its own envelope when it comes to aged rye, and fans are luckier for it. It’s easy to daydream about even older age statements (and even higher proofs) for a future release. With Triumph, Eddie Russell and team have crafted a rye focused on flavor over eye-popping numbers on a label. Let’s hope he keeps trusting his palate.
*Image retrieved from Wild Turkey
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