Press Release Archives
Wild Turkey® Bourbon Receives High Marks from the Beverage Testing Institute
-- Wild Turkey® American Spirit Awarded Top Honors, Platinum Medal --
PURCHASE, NY (March 17, 2008) – Wild Turkey® Bourbon, long recognized worldwide as the one of the most authentic of American whiskeys, is proud to announce that the Wild Turkey range of distinct and premium bourbons has received top marks from the 2008 Beverage Testing Institute (BTI) annual bourbon tasting. Among all bourbons tasted, Wild Turkey American Spirit, a limited edition, 100 proof, 15-Year-Old bourbon that commemorates the unique qualities and history of bourbon as the all-American spirit, was awarded the highest rating presented a bourbon – 97 points and a Platinum Medal, “Superlative” designation. In addition, Wild Turkey® Kentucky Spirit and Russell’s Reserve® Bourbon received 94 points/Gold Medal; Russell’s Reserve Rye received 92 points/Gold Medal; Wild Turkey Rare Breed® was awarded 90 points/gold medal; and Wild Turkey 101 brought home a rating of 89 points and a Silver Medal.
“It’s an honor to have a distinguished, independent panel of experts such as BTI, reinforce what our loyal customers and consumers have known for a long time,” noted Andy Nash, Brand Director for Wild Turkey, Pernod Ricard USA. “Bourbon embodies a proud history as the all-American spirit, and none more so than Wild Turkey. All of the whiskeys in the Wild Turkey range are created by our world renowned Master Distiller Jimmy Russell and his son, Associate Distiller Eddie Russell, to be of superior quality and distinction. BTI’s ratings are another validation of father and sons commitment to continuing to create bourbons of quality, taste and genuine American spirit.”
The Beverage Testing Institute is a world-renowned, privately owned corporation that conducts professional, blind tastings and reviews of beverage products. In its 2008 bourbon review, BTI rated Wild Turkey products as follows:
Wild Turkey American Spirit: 97 points, “Superlative” – “A powerhouse bourbon for those seeking a walk on the wild side”
Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit: 94 points, “Exceptional” – “Amazing layers of complexity, fire, and depth.”
Russell’s Reserve Bourbon: 94 points, “Exceptional” – “Amazing depth and richness of ever evolving flavors all in a fine, elegant balance.”
Russell’s Reserve Rye: 92 points, “Exceptional” – “Finishes with a long sweet toffee, butter cream, dried cherry, tobacco leaf, and peppery spice fade. Deliciously decadent.”
Wild Turkey Rare Breed: 90 points, “Exceptional” – “A delicious and instantly appealing bourbon that will shine in cocktails, particularly Manhattans.”
Wild Turkey 101: 89 points, “Exceptional” – “Finishes with a hot peppercorn, butter cream, licorice and honey fade. A rock solid bourbon.”
Pernod Ricard USA urges all adults to accept responsibility when considering consuming alcoholic beverages. For more information, please visit: http://www.acceptresponsibility.org.
About Pernod Ricard USA
Pernod Ricard USA, based in Purchase, N.Y., is a leading producer, importer and marketer of prized spirits and wine brands in the United States and is one of the fastest growing subsidiaries of the world’s #2 spirits company and #4 wine company, Paris, France-based Pernod Ricard, S.A. The completion of Pernod Ricard’s acquisition of Allied Domecq in 2005 vaulted Pernod Ricard USA to the forefront of the U.S. spirits market, doubling the company’s sales value and market share. The company is now the third largest in the U.S. spirits industry by sales value and the fifth largest by sales volume in the U.S.
Pernod Ricard USA's leading brands include Kahlúa® Liqueur, Chivas Regal® Scotch Whisky, Seagram's Extra Dry Gin®, Malibu® flavored Rum, Stolichnaya® Vodkas, Jameson® Irish Whiskey, The Glenlivet® Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Wild Turkey® Bourbon, Beefeater® Gin, Hiram Walker® Liqueurs and Martell™ Cognac, as well as Jacob's Creek® and Brancott Estate® wines, Perrier-Jouët® Champagne, GH Mumm® Champagne and Mumm Napa® wines, and Pernod® and Ricard® Liquors.