Popular Kentucky Distillery: Wild Turkey Distillery

OriginLawrenceburg, Kentucky, United States
ManufacturerThe Wild Turkey Distillery
EstablishedFounded in 1850
Ownershipthe Campari Group

Introduction

The history of Wild Turkey bourbon can be traced back to the 1830s, when brothers James and John Ripy, French Huguenot descendants, arrived in America from Ireland and began distilling whiskey. They established the Old Ripy Distillery in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky in 1850, which was later renamed the T.B. Ripy & Sons Distillery in 1869. In the 1890s, the distillery began using the “Wild Turkey” name for some of their bourbon products, which would eventually become the company’s flagship brand in the 1940s.

The distillery changed ownership over the years, being purchased by Pernod Ricard in 1971 and renamed the Wild Turkey Distillery in 1980. Key figures like Master Distiller Eddie Russell and Brand Ambassador Bruce Russell joined the company in the 1980s and 2010s, while actor Matthew McConaughey was hired as Creative Director in 2016. Throughout its long history, Wild Turkey has released numerous famous and limited edition products, cementing its status as an iconic American bourbon.

Wild Turkey 101 – The flagship Wild Turkey bourbon, bottled at 101 proof.

Wild Turkey Rye 101 – The flagship Wild Turkey rye whiskey, bottled at 101 proof.

Rare Breed – A small batch, barrel proof bourbon.

Rare Breed Rye – A small batch, barrel proof rye whiskey.

Kentucky Spirit – A single barrel bourbon.

Master’s Keep Encore – A limited edition 17-year-old bourbon.

Master’s Keep One – A limited edition 17-year-old bourbon.

Master’s Keep Bottled in Bond – A limited edition 15-year-old bourbon.

Master’s Keep Cornerstone – A limited edition 9-year-old bourbon.

Master’s Keep Revival – A limited edition 12-year-old bourbon.

Master’s Keep Decades – A limited edition 10-20 year old bourbon.

Master’s Keep 17 Year – A limited edition 17-year-old bourbon.

Timeline

  • 1830s – Brothers James and John Ripy, French Huguenot descendants, arrive in America from Ireland and begin distilling whiskey.
  • 1850 – The Ripy brothers establish the Old Ripy Distillery in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky.
  • 1869 – The distillery is renamed the T. B. Ripy & Sons Distillery.
  • 1890s – The distillery begins using the “Wild Turkey” name for some of their bourbon products.
  • 1905 – The distillery is renamed the Austin, Nichols & Co. Distillery.
  • 1940s – The “Wild Turkey” brand becomes the company’s flagship product.
  • 1971 – The distillery is purchased by Pernod Ricard.
  • 1980 – Pernod Ricard renames the company the Wild Turkey Distillery.
  • 1981 – Eddie Russell begins working at the distillery as a relief operator.
  • 1992 – The Wild Turkey 101 8-year bourbon loses its age statement domestically.
  • 1994 – Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit is released with its signature pewter top.
  • 2015 – Eddie Russell is named Master Distiller, and Bruce Russell begins as Brand Ambassador.
  • 2016 – Matthew McConaughey is hired as Creative Director for Wild Turkey.
  • 2018 – Wild Turkey Longbranch, a collaboration between McConaughey and Eddie Russell, is introduced.

Famous Product Releases

  • 1980s – Wild Turkey “Beyond Duplication” 101 12-year bourbon is released.
  • 1994 – Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit is introduced.
  • 1998 – Wild Turkey Kentucky Legend (single barrel at barrel proof, AKA “Donut”) is released as a Duty-Free expression.
  • 2014 – Wild Turkey Diamond Anniversary, American Honey Sting, and Wild Turkey Forgiven (batch #303) are released.
  • 2015 – Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel Rye is introduced.
  • 2017 – Wild Turkey Master’s Keep Decades is released.

Important People

  • James and John Ripy – Founders of the distillery in the 1830s.
  • Eddie Russell – Joined the distillery in 1981 and was named Master Distiller in 2015.
  • Bruce Russell – Began as Brand Ambassador in 2015.
  • Matthew McConaughey – Hired as Creative Director in 2016.

Significant Historical Events

  • 1976 – Wild Turkey Liqueur (now Wild Turkey American Honey) is introduced.
  • 1980 – Austin, Nichols & Co. is purchased by Pernod Ricard.
  • 2000 – A fire destroys Warehouse J at Wild Turkey in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky; bottling moves to Lawrenceburg, Indiana.
  • 2014 – A new Wild Turkey Visitors Center opens to the public.
  • 2017 – Campari Whiskey Barons Old Ripy and Bond & Lillard (reportedly distilled by Wild Turkey) are released in limited distribution.

Sources


[1] https://rarebird101.com/wt-timeline/
[2] https://www.mdwfp.com/media/4016/historywildturkeynorthamerica.pdf
[3] https://www.almanac.com/wild-turkey-history-all-american-bird
[4] https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Wild_Turkey/lifehistory
[5] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wild_Turkey_%28bourbon%29