In collaboration with Appleton Estate, Wild Turkey Bourbon launches Master’s Keep Voyage, the newest release in the annual limited-edition series of whiskies.
The 106-proof expression of 10-year-old bourbon was finished with a secondary maturation period in Jamaican rum casks, marking the first rum cask finish in Wild Turkey’s history.
Available in Australia from 1 November, the Master’s Keep Voyage was crafted by Master Distiller Eddie Russell in partnership with Dr Joy Spence, the renowned Master Blender of Appleton Estate rum. The new liquid reflects over 80 combined years of experience in crafting quality spirit.
“Every year, we look forward to the release of Master’s Keep as an opportunity to rethink what our bourbon can be,” says Wild Turkey’s Master Distiller Eddie Russell.
“Creating Master’s Keep Voyage in collaboration with Joy was a real privilege, and I think our shared passion for telling a story through our spirits comes through in this one-of-a-kind whiskey.”
Master’s Keep Voyage is the latest expression in the award-winning Master’s Keep series, first launched in 2015.
The annual release came from Eddie Russell’s desire to push the boundaries of traditional bourbon-making by experimenting with ageing techniques and finishes.
The aim of Master’s Keep Voyage was to create a unique spirit that captured the hallmarks of both bourbon and rum-making.
Dr Joy Spence hand-selected the finest casks – casks that previously held 14-year-old pot still rum and would best complement the bold top notes and rich caramel undertones of Wild Turkey’s extra-aged bourbons.
The casks were then brought to the Wild Turkey Distilling Co. in Lawrenceburg, KY, where they were filled with Eddie Russell’s hand-selected batch of 10-year-old bourbon, which had been aged in Wild Turkey’s classic No. 4 char barrels.
After finishing in the Kentucky heat of a timber rickhouse, the result is a tropically influenced American bourbon with a palate of fruits, caramel and aged oak, and a long-lasting finish of chocolate and spice.
“With Voyage, we had a very specific taste profile in mind,” says Appleton Estate’s Master Blender Joy Spence. “We really wanted to explore how the classic notes of rum and bourbon can work in harmony and create a really rich tasting experience for whiskey and rum fans alike.”
Master’s Keep Voyage will be available from 1 November 2023 at Dan Murphy’s, First Choice, Liquorland & selected independent retailers for RRP $350.
