Wild Turkey Launches Master’s Keep Beacon
Wild Turkey Distilling Company has announced the final release in its Master’s Keep collection: Master’s Keep Beacon.
Made by Master Distiller Eddie Russell and Associate Master Blender Bruce Russell, this limited-edition 118-proof release is a blend of two bourbons and will be available at retailers globally starting this September.
Master’s Keep Beacon is a blend of 10 and 16-year-old bourbons, each selected to reflect certain moments in the distillery’s history. Eddie’s selection, a 16-year-old bourbon distilled between 2007 and 2008, was pulled from some of the last remaining barrels laid down in the original Wild Turkey distillery where he started his career, just before the distillery’s major expansion in 2011. Bruce’s 10-year-old selection, distilled in 2015, is among the first he produced alongside his father and grandfather, Hall of Fame Master Distiller Jimmy Russell, when he joined the family business.
Dating back to 2015, the Master’s Keep series was originally the brainchild of Eddie Russell, offering a dedicated collection to explore new expressions beyond Wild Turkey’s core lineup. Over the last decade, each release of the series has received positive response from the bourbon community, solidifying Master’s Keep as one of the most sought-after collections in the industry.
The collection consists of 10 global releases since its inception: 17 Year (2015), Decades (2016), Revival (2018), Cornerstone (2019), Bottled in Bond (2020), One (2021), Unforgotten (2022), Voyage (2023) and Triumph (2024).
“When we set out ten years ago to launch the Master’s Keep series, we knew we had something special but I never imagined the journey it would take us on,” says Eddie. “Our first release was the most unique whiskey we’d ever released, and with each expression since we’ve been able to share some of the rarest whiskies in our rickhouses, all while staying true to who we are as Wild Turkey. Looking back a decade later I’m very proud of what we’ve created to date, and looking forward to what’s next.”
“Since joining the distillery, I’ve watched my dad craft some incredible bourbons as part of the Master’s Keep lineup, all rooted in the principles and dedication to bold flavor established by my granddad,” adds Bruce. “This final release feels especially meaningful, as the first Master’s Keep with my signature on the bottle and made using bourbon I helped create during some of my earliest days at the distillery. I’m proud to leave my mark on this iconic collection with a bourbon that represents a meaningful chapter in my own journey, and paves the way for the road ahead.”
An aroma of dark fruit and cherry is followed by honey, vanilla and cola, according to distillery notes. Sweet notes of caramelized sugar, toffee and tea with warm baking spice are capped off by a finish with notes of mature oak and leather.
Master’s Keep Beacon has suggested retail price of $300 per 750-ml. bottle.
This follows the release of Jimmy Russell’s 70th Anniversary 8-Year-Old Bourbon.
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