Wild Turkey Diamond Anniversary Bourbon 750ML

Wild Turkey Diamond Anniversary Bourbon 750ML is a limited commemorative Kentucky straight bourbon bottled at 91 proof (45.5% ABV) in a 750ml presentation. Awarded 97 points by Wine Enthusiast, this 2014 release marks one of the most critically acclaimed expressions in Wild Turkey's history — a tribute blend of 13- to 16-year-old barrels hand-selected by master distiller Eddie Russell.

Quick Facts: ABV: 45.5% (91 Proof)  |  Origin: Lawrenceburg, Kentucky  |  13–16 Year Blend  |  Distillery: Wild Turkey Distillery

Production & Heritage

Eddie Russell created Diamond Anniversary to honor his father Jimmy Russell's 60th year working at the Wild Turkey Distillery in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky. The blend draws from barrels aged between 13 and 16 years in the distillery's historic timber-frame rickhouses, specifically from lower-floor positions where temperature fluctuations are more gradual and maturation proceeds at a slower, steadier pace. The mashbill follows Wild Turkey's signature grain recipe — 75% corn, 13% rye, and 12% malted barley — with barrels filled into heavy #4 alligator char American oak. Notably, Eddie Russell has stated that despite the 91 proof designation, Diamond Anniversary was bottled very near its natural barrel proof, meaning little or no water was added — a reflection of how those particular barrels had gently settled in proof over their long aging period.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Dark caramel and seasoned oak arrive first, followed by layers of cinnamon, heathered smoke, and bitter orange peel. A warm vanilla undertone anchors the nose as it opens further with time in the glass.

Taste: The palate enters with dense, silk-textured caramel and honeyed peach, building through a mid-palate of rich toffee, baking spice, and candied orange. At its peak, polished oak, clove, and a subtle dried fruit sweetness converge, giving the whiskey remarkable depth for its proof.

Finish: Long, warm, and structured. Creamy vanilla, butter, and whipped cream linger alongside wood spices, a whisper of evergreen, and gently fading orange zest that sustains the experience well after the last sip.

How to Drink Diamond Anniversary

This bourbon rewards patient, unhurried neat pours — the complexity of 13- to 16-year-old whiskey at near barrel proof unfolds best at room temperature with minimal dilution. A few drops of water can coax out additional honeyed peach and vanilla sweetness without diminishing the oak structure. Given its rarity and quality, cocktails are less common but not inappropriate: an Old Fashioned benefits from the deep caramel backbone; a Boulevardier finds compelling balance between the bourbon's oak tannins and Campari's bitterness; a Vieux Carré allows the baking spice and dried fruit notes to harmonize with sweet vermouth and Bénédictine.

Best For

• Gifting a serious bourbon collector or Wild Turkey devotee
• Celebrating a milestone anniversary or retirement
• Adding a rare limited-edition bottle to a whiskey library
• Sharing a special pour with friends who appreciate aged Kentucky bourbon

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Diamond Anniversary taste like? Diamond Anniversary delivers dense caramel, honeyed peach, and toasted almond up front, transitioning into rich toffee, baking spice, and candied orange, with a long finish of creamy vanilla, seasoned oak, and gentle wood spice.

How does Diamond Anniversary compare to Eagle Rare 17? Both are ultra-aged Kentucky bourbons, but direct comparisons from Breaking Bourbon found Eagle Rare 17 (2013 release) to be brighter and more lively, while Diamond Anniversary leans toward richer oak structure and silk-textured caramel at a lower proof. The two occupy a similar tier, though Diamond Anniversary's near-barrel-proof bottling at 91 proof gives it a distinct, concentrated character.

Is Diamond Anniversary good for sipping neat? Diamond Anniversary is ideally suited for neat sipping, as its 13- to 16-year age profile and near-barrel-proof bottling deliver layered complexity that rewards slow, contemplative drinking.

Where is Diamond Anniversary made? Diamond Anniversary is produced at the Wild Turkey Distillery in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, situated along the Kentucky River in the heart of bourbon country. The barrels were aged in the distillery's own timber-frame rickhouses.

What foods pair well with Diamond Anniversary? Dark chocolate truffles complement the bourbon's caramel and vanilla richness. Pecan pie echoes its toasted nut and toffee notes. Smoked pork belly bridges well with the heathered smoke on the nose. Aged Gruyère or Comté cheese enhances the oak and baking spice character. Crème brûlée mirrors the creamy vanilla finish.

What sizes does Diamond Anniversary come in? Diamond Anniversary was released as a limited-edition 750ml bottle.

Is Diamond Anniversary worth the price? Diamond Anniversary positions firmly in the ultra-premium, collectible tier of American whiskey. Its 97-point Wine Enthusiast score, limited one-time production run, and 13- to 16-year age profile place it among the most sought-after Wild Turkey releases, and secondary market values reflect that standing.

Why Diamond Anniversary?

Diamond Anniversary exists because of a singular occasion — six decades of Jimmy Russell's presence at one distillery, an almost unheard-of tenure in American whiskey. Eddie Russell responded by pulling some of the oldest and most distinctive barrels in inventory and blending them into a whiskey that landed at near barrel proof despite reading only 91 on the label, a detail that speaks to the gentle, unhurried maturation in those lower rickhouse floors. The 97-point score from Wine Enthusiast confirmed what the Russell family already knew: this blend captured something rare. As a one-time commemorative release, Diamond Anniversary stands as both a historical document of the Wild Turkey distillery's deep barrel stocks and a benchmark for what heavily charred, long-aged Kentucky bourbon can achieve.