I went to Japan in December 2022 early Jan 2023. I was blindsided because I was not at all Expecting to find AMERICAN whiskey in JAPAN. Got super educated on not just American whiskey history, but specifically wild turkey distillery’s history in Japan Unfortunately, I was so unprepared and blindsided while there I only bought TWO bottles of WT101 12 year. Had I known better I would have skipped the Master’s Keep AND the Wild turkey 101 8 year that I bought (under MSRP BTW) and bought two more bottles of WT101 12. Thankfully my coworker went to Japan 3 months ago and found another a got it for me. So I have two unopened bottles and afraid to open one 😂
The Wild Turkey 12 was released in Japan, Aus and Korea mainly because they want to keep historical relationships with these markets as they kept Wild Turkey afloat in the 1980s/90s when bourbon fell out of favour in the USA. Japan was the main market drinking high age bourbons (why you could find so many dusty turkeys a few years back there). It was only around 7500 yen (tax included) in Japan which was $85 AUD at the time and like $60 USD (now about $52 on conversion because of better exchange rates). There was also a lot of it around in January but doubt there is much now
I was one of those keeping them afloat in Australia when the premix stubbies were 8% and the rare breed was better than mothers milk. It was truly spectacular
Thanks for your review, Judge! I traveled through Japan in March. I have an abundance of memories that’ll last my entire lifetime. But my favorite, is finding this bottle in a local chain in Shinjuku, Tokyo for $47. After that, I backpacked through Japan for another 16 days with this as my travel companion (sharing it with numerous people I met in Japan along the way). This “proofed up Shirley Temple” as refer to it, will forever hold a special place in my heart. Cheers, brother!
Imagine a rare breed 12 year!! It’s a shame it isn’t available here maybe they are just testing sells and demand overseas and then will sell it in the USA. You are a lucky man enjoy!!
I loved the 12 year. I’ve thought about blinding all of WT 101 proofs. The Kentucky spirit, 12 year, and the standard 101. I would buy this on secondary all day
I just picked up a couple bottles in Hong Kong. I paid around a hundy e.a. We'll be drinking them this weekend for my Father n laws 82nd birthday. Lol should be fun. Cheers Judge great review.
Great review. This should be around US$60 in Japan. I had to find it in the UK while on a work trip, paid more than double the msrp but I still think it's worth it. It's just behind RR13 for me and that is saying something given the huge proof difference.
Wow is right. I did a couple blinds with it and it came out on top. If this had 20 more proof points…sigh. It’s gorgeous where it’s at and a true “impress your guests” and you guest I mean it better be someone who knows what they are about to drink, that category of guest.
Roger, I’ll take a bottle if you’re giving away your extras! Jk…would love to try this, been a WT 101 fan for years, a great gateway bourbon. Hope this release makes its way more into the US market in the years to come. Cheers!
That’s awesome Judge! Curious, does something rare like that make it to your infinity bottle? I leave for Ireland today for a long week, so I might have to adjust my palate to some Irish whiskey for a short while. Cheers Judge, great video
I’m not sure why but I’m underwhelmed by the WT 12 year. I don’t get much fruit or sweetness on the palette and mostly get oak and spice. Was super excited to get the bottle but the hype did not live up to
I think the reason they made the Wild Turkey 12 year internationally exclusive is to boost sales and reputation foreign markets. In japan, this is a $50 bottle. That is a hell of a value. Campari has a lot of leeway in America due to Wild Turkey's brand recognition, which is why we'll probably be seeing more overpriced special releases and eventually the removal of age statements from the product line. The only way that will change is if brown-forman, sazerac or beam-suntory start trying to compete on age statements again. Anyways, great review!
