Wild Turkey American Honey 1.75L

Wild Turkey American Honey 1.75L is a honey-infused bourbon liqueur bottled at 35.5% ABV (71 proof) in a 1.75-liter format. Widely recognized as the product that launched the entire flavored bourbon category, this expression traces its original recipe to the 1970s and has earned a Double Gold at the New York International Spirits Competition and a Gold Medal at the ASCOT Awards.

Quick Facts: ABV: 35.5% (71 Proof)  |  Origin: Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, USA  |  Honey Bourbon Liqueur  |  Distillery: Wild Turkey

Production & Heritage

Wild Turkey Distillery in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, has been producing bourbon for generations under the legendary stewardship of Master Distiller Jimmy Russell, who originally crafted the honey liqueur recipe in the 1970s. The bourbon base uses a mashbill of 75% corn, 13% rye, and 12% malted barley, which is then blended with pure honey and aged in American white oak barrels. First released commercially around 1976 as Wild Turkey Liqueur with Honey, it is widely credited as the first flavored bourbon — a distinction that predates the modern wave of honey whiskeys by decades.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Sweet honey rises immediately, followed by warm caramel and a thread of candied lemon. Beneath the initial sweetness, subtle oak and a faint spice note from the rye-forward bourbon base emerge.

Taste: The palate entry is lush and round, with integrated flavors of honey and spiced cookies giving way to a mid-palate citrus brightness — lemon zest and orange peel — that keeps the sweetness in check. The bourbon backbone provides a pleasant bite through the finish, with vanilla and honeysuckle surfacing as the rye spice recedes.

Finish: Medium-long and gently warming, with lingering honeysuckle, toasted oak, and a touch of vanilla. The sweetness fades gradually, leaving behind a clean, slightly spiced close.

How to Drink American Honey

American Honey is enjoyable chilled or over ice, where the cold temperature tightens the sweetness and lets the bourbon character come forward. It also performs well in cocktails:

• Honey Bee: Mixed with fresh lemon juice and a touch of simple syrup, the citrus notes in American Honey amplify into a bright, balanced sour.
• Gold Rush: A bourbon-forward cocktail of whiskey, honey syrup, and lemon juice — American Honey replaces the honey syrup component naturally, simplifying the build.
• Hot Toddy: The honeyed sweetness dissolves seamlessly into hot water with lemon and a cinnamon stick, making it a natural fit for cold-weather sipping.

Best For

• Hosting gatherings where an approachable whiskey-based spirit simplifies batch cocktails
• Introducing bourbon-curious drinkers to whiskey through a sweeter gateway
• Stocking a home bar with a versatile honey liqueur in a value-friendly large format
• Mixing warming winter cocktails like Hot Toddies and spiked ciders

Frequently Asked Questions

What does American Honey taste like? American Honey delivers a lush, sweet honey flavor balanced by caramel, lemon zest, and a mild bourbon spice from its rye-forward mashbill. The oak influence stays subtle, keeping the profile smooth and approachable.

How does American Honey compare to Jack Daniel's Tennessee Honey? Both are honey-infused whiskey liqueurs at similar proof points, but American Honey uses a bourbon base with a higher rye content (13%), which adds more spice and backbone. Jack Daniel's Tennessee Honey tends to lean sweeter and smoother, owing to the charcoal-mellowed Tennessee whiskey base.

Is American Honey good for cocktails? American Honey works extremely well in cocktails because its built-in honey sweetness reduces the need for additional syrups, while the 35.5% ABV provides enough proof to hold its own in mixed drinks without becoming watery.

Where is American Honey made? American Honey is produced at the Wild Turkey Distillery in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, located along the Kentucky River in the heart of bourbon country. The distillery has been in operation for over a century and remains one of the most recognized names in American whiskey.

What foods pair well with American Honey? Cornbread or honey butter biscuits echo the honey-grain sweetness. Apple pie or baked stone fruit desserts complement the caramel and citrus notes. Mild blue cheese provides a savory contrast that highlights the bourbon backbone. Smoked ham benefits from the honey glaze-like sweetness, and pecan pralines mirror the toasted oak and vanilla character.

What sizes does American Honey come in? American Honey is available in several formats including 50ml, 375ml, 750ml, 1L, and the 1.75L handle size featured here, which is the most economical option for frequent use or entertaining.

Is American Honey worth the price? American Honey positions as an entry-level to mid-range honey bourbon liqueur, and the 1.75L format offers strong value per ounce compared to standard 750ml bottles. Its versatility as both a chilled sipper and cocktail ingredient makes it a practical investment for a well-stocked bar.

Why American Honey?

American Honey holds a unique place in whiskey history as the product that pioneered the flavored bourbon category, with Jimmy Russell's original recipe dating to the mid-1970s — years before any competitor entered the space. That heritage is backed by competition credentials, including a Double Gold at the New York International Spirits Competition and 87 points from the Ultimate Spirits Challenge. The bourbon base, built on Wild Turkey's characteristically bold 75/13/12 mashbill, gives American Honey more grain-driven complexity than most honey liqueurs on the market. In a category now crowded with imitators, this remains the original — and the 1.75L format makes it the most practical choice for anyone who reaches for it regularly.