Wild Turkey has unveiled the Austin Nichols Archives Collection, a new limited-edition annual series commemorating some of the most coveted vintage bottles in Wild Turkey’s history.
The inaugural release in the series, Gold Foil Edition, is a 16 year old, non-chill filtered, 120 proof (60% ABV) Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey blended from barrels sourced from Wild Turkey’s Camp Nelson F, D, and E rickhouses.
Gold Foil Edition pays homage to the whiskeys that emerged during the so-called “Glut Era,” a period from the 1980s and 1990s when whiskey fell out of favor and inventories swelled. During that time, Jimmy Russell often blended older barrels into standard bottlings, creating bourbons with greater depth, intensity, and maturity. Some of these bottlings would come to be affectionately known by fans as “Cheesy Gold Foil.” Austin Nichols Archives Collection Gold Foil Edition was crafted with a longer aging process and higher proof, allowing Associate Master Blender Bruce Russell to recreate the profile of that era.
Gold Foil Edition is described as exhibiting notes of “Wild Turkey’s ‘signature funk’, dark fruit, and mature oak, alongside cherry cola, clove, dark honey, and an extremely long finish of peppery spice, brown sugar, and leather.”
Gold Foil Edition is presented in packaging inspired by vintage advertising and Wild Turkey’s origin story. The canister features an autumnal hunting scene that nods to how the brand got its name. Inside, gold foil lining and a label reminiscent of the original vintage complete the tribute. Each release in the series will also include a different hidden Easter egg for fans to discover.
Wild Turkey Austin Nichols Archives Gold Foil Edition will be available in limited quantities in select markets beginning this month for a suggested retail price of $400.
Source: Wild Turkey.