A few Wild Turkey releases are export-only, so you won’t be able to find them unless you travel outside of the United States or have them shipped to you from abroad. Two of them, the 13-year-old Wild Turkey 13 Year Father and Son Bourbon and the 13-year-old Wild Turkey 13 Year Distiller’s Reserve Bourbon, are among the older varieties of Wild Turkey bourbon available today.
Father and Son was released in early 2020 as a limited edition and exported all over the world, while The Distiller’s Reserve was released in Japan in 2013–2014 as a regular release (replacing Wild Turkey 12 Year 101). I thought it would be a great idea to do a side-by-side comparison of these two Turkeys to see how different two Wild Turkey bourbons with the same age statement and comparable ABVs could be. It is assumed that they ought to differ since it would be absurd to release two extremely similar products, but let’s double check in this Wild Turkey 13-Year Comparison between Father and Son and Distiller’s Reserve.
The world of bourbon is vast and varied, with countless expressions vying for your attention. Among them, the Wild Turkey 13 Year stands out as a unique and intriguing offering, available in two distinct variations: the Distiller’s Reserve and the Father and Son. Both expressions boast an impressive 13 years of aging, promising a depth of flavor and complexity that only time can deliver. But how do these two Wild Turkey 13 Year bourbons compare? Let’s dive into a head-to-head comparison to uncover their individual personalities and determine which one reigns supreme.
Wild Turkey 13 Year Distiller’s Reserve: A Rich and Decadent Experience
The Distiller’s Reserve embodies the quintessential Wild Turkey profile, offering a rich and decadent experience. Its deep amber hue hints at the years spent slumbering in charred oak barrels, while its aroma bursts with notes of roasted oak, clove, and dry grass, followed by a wave of caramel, vanilla, dried orange peel, and cinnamon. On the palate, the Distiller’s Reserve delivers a symphony of flavors: caramel, roasted oak, clove, chocolate, vanilla, dried orange peel, and cinnamon, all harmoniously balanced with hints of dried apple, cherry, tobacco, and smoke. The finish is long and satisfying, with lingering notes of roasted oak, clove, nutmeg, coffee grounds, and licorice.
Wild Turkey 13 Year Father and Son: A Fruity and Herbal Delight
The Father and Son on the other hand, presents a more nuanced and unexpected profile. Its aroma is a captivating blend of fragrant oak, clove, and nutmeg, followed by caramel, honey dried orange peel, cocoa powder, and hints of blueberries and corn mash. On the palate, the Father and Son explodes with a burst of caramel, roasted oak, clove, chocolate, vanilla, dried orange peel, cinnamon, and dried apple, with subtle hints of dried dark berries and licorice. The finish is equally impressive, with a balance of caramel, roasted oak, clove, and nutmeg, complemented by coffee grounds and licorice.
The Verdict: A Matter of Personal Preference
Both Wild Turkey 13 Year expressions are exceptional bourbons, each offering a unique and memorable experience. The Distiller’s Reserve is a classic Wild Turkey, delivering a rich and decadent profile that embodies the brand’s signature style. The Father and Son, on the other hand, presents a more nuanced and unexpected profile, with a surprising emphasis on fruit and herbal notes. Ultimately, the choice between the two comes down to personal preference. If you seek a classic Wild Turkey experience, the Distiller’s Reserve is an excellent choice. If you prefer a more nuanced and unexpected profile, the Father and Son will surely impress.
Additional Considerations:
- Availability: The Wild Turkey 13 Year Distiller’s Reserve is readily available in Japan, while the Father and Son is a limited-edition export release.
- Price: The Distiller’s Reserve typically retails for around $55-70 in Japan, while the Father and Son may command a higher price due to its limited availability.
- Proof: Both expressions have an ABV of 45.5%, making them relatively easy-drinking bourbons.
The Wild Turkey 13 Year is a testament to the brand’s expertise in crafting exceptional aged bourbons. Whether you choose the Distiller’s Reserve or the Father and Son, you’re in for a treat. So, grab a bottle, pour yourself a glass, and embark on a journey of discovery with these remarkable expressions of Wild Turkey’s 13-year legacy.
How do they Compare?
I knew that the 13 Year Father and Son and Wild Turkey 13 Year Distiller’s Reserve bourbons would differ because I had already reviewed them both, but WOW, they differ even more when compared side by side. Rich, luscious, dark, and wonderfully delicious, Wild Turkey 13 Year Distiller’s Reserve satisfies every requirement for a 10-year-old Wild Turkey bourbon, much like chocolate cake. Wild Turkey 13 Year Father and Son resembles a fruit tart with a herb drizzle that has been gently smoked and charred. Father and Son shares some characteristics with Blanton’s Red, such as being bright, fruity, and herbal with a background of toasty, fragrant oakiness. Both Wild Turkey bourbons are excellent, but because the Distiller’s Reserve is denser and tastes better, I like it better. Even though I usually like flavors that are richer and heavier, I could have chosen the Father and Son if it had been more expressive and bold with what it had. For instance, Kentucky Owl Rye Batch 1 is the best rye I’ve ever had; it’s not very dark, but it’s incredibly expressive with notes of fruit, flowers, and herbs. This comparison serves as yet another reminder of how important barrel selection is when creating a great whiskey, as you can blend barrels of roughly the same age and achieve quite different outcomes.
Wild Turkey 13 year | Dutch & Dillon Fresh Crack | Curiosity Public
Why do you love wild turkey 13 year distiller’s Reserve Bourbon?
I absolutely love the Wild Turkey 13 Year Distiller’s Reserve Bourbon because it is a rare and unique whiskey coming from the well-known distillery in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky. Wild Turkey had a previous expression called 101/12 which was discontinued; after that, the 13-year Distiller’s Reserve took its place in Japan and other export markets.
Is wild turkey 13 year a good Bourbon?
Overall though, Wild Turkey 13 Year has plenty of caramel, vanilla, fruit, and chocolate to balance-out the oak and spice. This is a very dessert-y, delicious, and interesting bourbon that drinks far richer than its 45.5%.
What does wild turkey 13 year taste like?
Wild Turkey 13 Year has a big burst of caramel, roasted oak, clove, chocolate, vanilla, dried orange peel, cinnamon, dried apple, and more faint hints of dried dark berries and licorice. As expected for its age, there’s a lot of wood spices, especially clove and nutmeg, and chocolate too.
What does wild turkey 13 year father and son taste like?
Wild Turkey 13 Year Father and Son is like a lightly charred and smoked fruit tart with an herbal drizzle. In some ways, Father and Son is similar to Blanton’s Red in how bright, fruity, and herbal it is with that toasty and fragrant background oakiness.