Wild Turkey Master's Keep 17 Year Bourbon

Wild Turkey Master's Keep 17 Year Bourbon is a 750ml, 86.8-proof (43.4% ABV) Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey aged seventeen years in new American charred oak barrels. This limited expression earned an exceptional 97 points from Wine Enthusiast, placing it among the highest-rated bourbons in the Wild Turkey portfolio.

Quick Facts: ABV: 43.4% (86.8 proof)  |  Origin: Kentucky, USA  |  Age: 17 Years  |  Distillery: Wild Turkey Distillery

Production & Heritage

Wild Turkey Distillery, located in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, has been producing bourbon for generations under the stewardship of Master Distiller Jimmy Russell and his son Eddie Russell. Master's Keep 17 Year draws from a mashbill of 75% corn, 13% rye, and 12% malted barley, entered into barrels at 107 proof and left to mature for nearly two decades. What makes this release unusual is its dual-rickhouse aging: barrels spent time in both traditional wood rickhouses and brick rickhouses at the former Old Crow Distillery, located in a low-lying valley. The more stable temperatures inside the brick structures imparted a mild, earthy character, while the wood rickhouses contributed greater vanilla, caramel, and oak extraction through wider temperature swings. This extended maturation in mixed environments also pulled the proof down naturally from 107 to just 86.8 — a remarkably low bottling strength that speaks to the extent of angel's share lost over seventeen years.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Oak and tobacco dominate the nose, followed by layers of cigar box, seasoned wood, and a subtle thread of burnt brown sugar. There is a richness on the inhale that signals deep barrel influence without excessive tannic dryness.

Taste: The entry is smooth and silky, with an immediate butterscotch sweetness that transitions into caramel and vanilla at the mid-palate. Baking spices and a distinctive blueberry-pancake note develop as the bourbon opens, joined by fresh maple and a gentle earthiness from the brick-rickhouse aging.

Finish: The finish carries a savory spiciness balanced by subtle oak and lingering tobacco. It is moderate in length, fading slowly with warmth rather than heat — a direct consequence of its lower proof.

How to Drink Master's Keep 17 Year

At 86.8 proof, this bourbon is ideally suited to sipping neat; the lower alcohol allows its layered flavors to present themselves without needing dilution. A single ice cube can emphasize the sweeter caramel and maple notes for those who prefer a slightly cooler pour. For cocktail use, the depth of aged character makes it a compelling choice in an Old Fashioned, where its butterscotch and oak complexity shine against a sugar and bitters base. A Boulevardier benefits from the tobacco and spice notes standing up to Campari's bitterness. A simple Whiskey Sour lets the bourbon's natural sweetness reduce the need for added sugar.

Best For

• Gifting a serious bourbon collector seeking a limited-release expression
• Celebrating a milestone anniversary, retirement, or career achievement
• Adding a well-aged Kentucky bourbon to a personal whiskey library
• Hosting an intimate tasting flight comparing long-aged American whiskeys

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Master's Keep 17 Year taste like? It opens with smooth butterscotch and caramel sweetness, then develops baking spice, tobacco, and seasoned oak character with a savory, gently spiced finish.

How does Master's Keep 17 Year compare to Russell's Reserve 13 Year? Both come from Wild Turkey Distillery and share the same 75/13/12 mashbill, but Master's Keep 17 Year has four additional years of aging and bottles at a notably lower 86.8 proof versus Russell's Reserve 13 Year's 114.8 proof. Russell's Reserve 13 Year delivers a bolder, higher-proof punch, while the Master's Keep emphasizes softer, more oak-integrated complexity from its extended maturation.

Is Master's Keep 17 Year good for sipping neat? Yes — its 43.4% ABV makes it one of the most approachable long-aged bourbons on the market, requiring no water or ice to enjoy its full range of flavors.

Where is Master's Keep 17 Year made? It is produced at the Wild Turkey Distillery in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky. Some barrels were aged in brick rickhouses at the historic Old Crow Distillery site, also in Kentucky, due to rickhouse space constraints at the main facility.

What foods pair well with Master's Keep 17 Year? Slow-smoked brisket complements the bourbon's tobacco and oak notes. Dark chocolate truffles echo its caramel and butterscotch sweetness. Pecan pie mirrors the baking spice and maple character. Aged cheddar cheese provides a savory counterpoint to the vanilla and oak. Crème brûlée parallels the burnt brown sugar aroma found on the nose.

What sizes does Master's Keep 17 Year come in? Master's Keep 17 Year is available in the standard 750ml bottle format.

Is Master's Keep 17 Year worth the price? Master's Keep 17 Year sits firmly in the ultra-premium bourbon tier, and its 97-point Wine Enthusiast score, seventeen-year age statement, and limited availability position it as a collectible release that holds strong value relative to comparably aged Kentucky bourbons.

Why Master's Keep 17 Year?

The dual-rickhouse aging story is not a marketing embellishment — it is a consequence of practical necessity when Wild Turkey ran out of warehouse space, resulting in barrels spending years in the cooler, more stable brick rickhouses at the Old Crow Distillery. That accident of logistics produced a bourbon with an unusually low natural proof and a distinctive earthy quality not found elsewhere in the Wild Turkey lineup. A 97-point rating from Wine Enthusiast confirms this is not merely a curiosity but a genuinely exceptional whiskey. For collectors and enthusiasts seeking a well-aged bourbon with documented provenance and a flavor profile shaped by circumstance rather than formula, Master's Keep 17 Year stands as one of the most compelling releases in the series.