Wild Turkey Master's Keep Bottled in Bond 17 Year Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon

17 years. 100 proof. Bottled-in-Bond. Wild Turkey Master's Keep Bottled in Bond — Jimmy Russell's most age-forward BiB expression and the longest-aged Bottled-in-Bond Wild Turkey ever produced.

Jimmy Russell has been Wild Turkey's Master Distiller since 1954 — over 70 years at the same distillery, making him the longest-serving Master Distiller in American bourbon history. His son Eddie Russell joined the distillery in 1981 and now co-leads the production program. Together, the Russell family represents an unbroken multi-generational production legacy unmatched in American whiskey.

The Master's Keep series represents the apex of Wild Turkey's production program — Jimmy and Eddie's personal selections from the distillery's most exceptional aging inventory, released in limited quantities. The Bottled-in-Bond 17 Year is significant on two levels: the age statement (17 years is exceptional for a Bottled-in-Bond expression, which legally requires only 4 years minimum), and the BiB certification itself — which guarantees single season, single distillery, 100 proof, federally bonded warehouse production. Wild Turkey's famous #4 char level applied to these 17-year barrels produces a deep, rich expression that marks the outer edge of Wild Turkey's aging capabilities.

Tasting Notes

• Appearance: Deep, rich amber from 17 years of Wild Turkey's #4 char barrel contact.
• Nose: Vanilla, caramel, and dried fruit with the distinctive Wild Turkey spice that 17 years of heavy char barrel contact develops.
• Palate: Rich and full at 100 proof — deep oak integration, vanilla, dried fruit, and the warm, spicy character that the Russell family's high-rye mashbill at extended age produces.
• Finish: Long and spice-forward — the Wild Turkey character fully expressed through a satisfying, warming close.

Specs

• Distillery: Wild Turkey, Lawrenceburg, Kentucky
• Master Distillers: Jimmy Russell + Eddie Russell
• Style: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Bottled-in-Bond
• Age: 17 years
• Proof: 100 (50% ABV)
• Certification: Bottled-in-Bond (single season, single distillery, federally bonded)
• Series: Master's Keep
• Size: 750ml

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Frequently Asked Questions

• Who is Jimmy Russell? Jimmy Russell has been Wild Turkey's Master Distiller since 1954 — over 70 years at the same distillery, the longest tenure of any Master Distiller in American bourbon history. His son Eddie joined in 1981. Together they represent the longest multi-generational Master Distiller legacy in American whiskey.
• Why is 17-year Bottled-in-Bond unusual? Bottled-in-Bond requires a minimum of 4 years aging. The vast majority of BiB releases are 4–6 years old. A 17-year BiB is exceptionally rare — Wild Turkey is one of very few producers to release Bottled-in-Bond at this age, and the Master's Keep BiB is the oldest age-statement BiB in the Wild Turkey lineup.
• What is Wild Turkey's #4 char? Wild Turkey uses #4 char — the deepest char level in standard bourbon production, sometimes called "alligator char" for the pattern of the carbonized wood surface. The deep char produces more rapid extraction of vanilla, caramel, and oak compounds than lighter char levels. At 17 years, the #4 char has had extraordinary time to develop its full extraction potential.
• Is the Master's Keep BiB 17 Year still available? A rare find. Master's Keep releases are produced in limited quantities.