Wild Turkey Distillery

Lawrenceburg, Kentucky

Written by Julie Greiner

The wild turkey is one of the few true native birds of North America. The wild turkey is truly a remarkable bird which stands up to 1 meter tall, is capable of running at speeds of up to 25 miles per hour and can fly at 35 miles per hour. The wild turkey is the only bird with a beard and it has some 5,000 to 7,000 feathers. They can see colors, have 10 times the resolution power of humans and their hearing is also several times greater than humans.

The Wild Turkey Distillery

Wild Turkey is world-renowned as a truly singular bourbon. Here are the elements of the process and finished product that make Wild Turkey special. Wild Turkey uses the highest possible standards in the selection of all its ingredients. The limestone-filtered water used in making Wild Turkey is taken from a well right on the distillery's grounds. The water is considered so pure that the town of Lawrenceburg located its water plant on the distillery's property. The grains used by Wild Turkey are rigorously checked

Courtesy Wild Turkey Bourbon

for ripeness, purity and humidity. In fact, Wild Turkey's specifications are more stringent than those of the Federal government. The yeast used in the fermentation process is cultivated at the distillery; the formula is a closely guarded secret that has been passed from generation to generation. Wild Turkey uses white oak barrels with the heaviest (most expensive) deep-layer char, which lends Wild Turkey its signature flavor and deep russet color. As the climate in Kentucky varies greatly in winter and summer, the barrels expand and contract at a pronounced rate, hastening the maturation process of Wild Turkey Bourbon and ultimately improving its quality.

Tour The Wild Turkey Distillery

When you are in the Louisville area, one of most delightful tours is through the Wild Turkey Distillery in Lawrenceburg. Taste the product and browse for unique

View of the Wild Turkey Distillery Fermentation Vats

Courtesy Wild Turkey Bourbon

gifts at the shop. For further information on tours call: Toll-Free: (800) 455-5585.

The state of Kentucky has 12 operating distilleries that produce 90 to 95 percent of the world's supply of bourbon. Bourbon can be made in other places in the U.S., but you cannot add the state name to the label. Only Kentucky has this distinction. Bourbon is Kentucky's leading export.

Awards Given to Wild Turkey

The International Wine & Spirit Competition 2001 - Wild Turkey 8YO - Gold, Wild Turkey Rare Breed - Silver and Wild Turkey Rye - Silver. The International Wine & Spirit Competition 2000, Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit - Gold and Wild Turkey 12YO - Silver. San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2000 - Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit - Gold; Wild Turkey Rare Breed - Gold; Russell's Reserve - Silver; Wild Turkey Rye - Silver - Wild Turkey Bourbon Liqueur - Silver. And - Wild Turkey 101* Straight Bourbon - Bronze.