Wild Turkey - Master's Keep Beacon 2025

April 27, 2026 · #60
CategoryKentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Country | RegionUnited States, Kentucky
DistilleryWild Turkey Distilling Co.
Age statement10 years (blend of 10 & 16 year bourbons)
Alcohol % | Proof59% | 118 pf
ReleaseMaster’s Keep Beacon (2025, Master’s Keep series finale)
Mash bill75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley (standard Wild Turkey bourbon mash)
Cask typeNew charred American oak; 16‑year barrels from the old Wild Turkey distillery (2007–2008) blended with 10‑year barrels from the post‑2011 expanded facility (distilled 2015)
Price point$300 - $600
Bottle statusActive
Wild Turkey - Master's Keep Beacon 2025 bottle reference image

Appearance / Color

Deep, dark copper.

Nose / Aroma / Smell

Old oak, tobacco, leather. Dark cherry, candied orange, dried fruit. Caramel, toffee, vanilla, toasted nuts. Baking spice, mint / herbal tea.

Flavor / Taste / Palate

Rich oak, light tannin, leather. Dark cherry, orange citrus, dried apricot/fig. Dark chocolate, toffee, caramel, vanilla. Cinnamon, peppery rye spice, touch of peppermint.

Finish

Long, warm, oak‑driven. Cherry and candied citrus with baking spice. Chocolate, cola / sweet tea, vanilla. Lingering tobacco, leather, mint.

What makes the bottle unique Final (or presumed final) Master’s Keep release and the only one co‑signed by Eddie and Bruce Russell, blending old‑plant 16‑year bourbon with new‑plant 10‑year bourbon for a “past meets future” profile. Highest‑proof Master’s Keep at 118 proof, yet widely reviewed as balanced when allowed to open up or with a small amount of water. Production / finishing context Kentucky straight bourbon (no secondary finishing), non‑chill filtered; flavor driven entirely by long aging in heavily charred American oak and the high‑rye Wild Turkey mash. 16‑year component distilled 2007–2008 at the original Wild Turkey plant; 10‑year component distilled 2015 at the modern facility, representing some of Bruce Russell’s earliest distillate. Why it matters in a lineup Sits as the mature, oak‑heavy “anchor pour” in a Wild Turkey or high‑end bourbon lineup: deep rickhouse oak, cherry, chocolate, and a notable mint/rye‑spice twist. Frequently compared to Russell’s Reserve 15 and Generations, with many enthusiasts placing Beacon on the same or higher tier for balance, structure, and “series finale” impact.

Wild Turkey - Master's Keep Beacon 2025

April 27, 2026 · No. 60

Category
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
Country | Region
United States, Kentucky
Distillery
Wild Turkey Distilling Co.
Age Statement
10 years (blend of 10 & 16 year bourbons)
Alcohol / Proof
59% / 118 pf
Release
Master’s Keep Beacon (2025, Master’s Keep series finale)
Mash Bill
75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley (standard Wild Turkey bourbon mash)
Cask Type
New charred American oak; 16‑year barrels from the old Wild Turkey distillery (2007–2008) blended with 10‑year barrels from the post‑2011 expanded facility (distilled 2015)
Price Point
$300 - $600
Appearance
Deep, dark copper.

Nose / Aroma / Smell:

Old oak, tobacco, leather. Dark cherry, candied orange, dried fruit. Caramel, toffee, vanilla, toasted nuts. Baking spice, mint / herbal tea.

Flavor / Taste / Palate:

Rich oak, light tannin, leather. Dark cherry, orange citrus, dried apricot/fig. Dark chocolate, toffee, caramel, vanilla. Cinnamon, peppery rye spice, touch of peppermint.

Finish:

Long, warm, oak‑driven. Cherry and candied citrus with baking spice. Chocolate, cola / sweet tea, vanilla. Lingering tobacco, leather, mint.

Wild Turkey - Master's Keep Beacon 2025 bottle reference image

What makes the bottle unique Final (or presumed final) Master’s Keep release and the only one co‑signed by Eddie and Bruce Russell, blending old‑plant 16‑year bourbon with new‑plant 10‑year bourbon for a “past meets future” profile. Highest‑proof Master’s Keep at 118 proof, yet widely reviewed as balanced when allowed to open up or with a small amount of water. Production / finishing context Kentucky straight bourbon (no secondary finishing), non‑chill filtered; flavor driven entirely by long aging in heavily charred American oak and the high‑rye Wild Turkey mash. 16‑year component distilled 2007–2008 at the original Wild Turkey plant; 10‑year component distilled 2015 at the modern facility, representing some of Bruce Russell’s earliest distillate. Why it matters in a lineup Sits as the mature, oak‑heavy “anchor pour” in a Wild Turkey or high‑end bourbon lineup: deep rickhouse oak, cherry, chocolate, and a notable mint/rye‑spice twist. Frequently compared to Russell’s Reserve 15 and Generations, with many enthusiasts placing Beacon on the same or higher tier for balance, structure, and “series finale” impact.