Wild Turkey Longbranch Small Batch Bourbon Whiskey (700ml)

Another celebrity affiliated spirit arrives with Matthew McConaughey joining Wild Turkey as the company’s Creative Director in 2016 (making him one of the highest paid directors in the ad industry). With the new role comes the launch of Wild Turkey Longbranch, a small-batch Kentucky bourbon with a touch of Texas (McConaughey's homestate – hence the connection).

McConaughey worked with Master Distiller, Eddie Russell from concept to bottle. It's an eight-year-old whisky distilled from a mash bill of 75% corn, 13% rye and 10% malted barley. What sets it apart from standard Turkey is that it's further refined through a proprietary process involving two separate charcoal filtrations – the first uses charcoal made from American white oak and a second employs charcoal made from Texas mesquite wood, which adds notes of smoky sweetness.

Will this be a stayer on the market, or a flash in the pan? It's anyone's guess, however collectors (and Turkey completionists) may want to snap it up early: Longbranch is marked by the fact that it’s the only Wild Turkey to be produced bearing the signature of someone other than the Master Distillers.

Says McConaughey. , “Longbranch, in its simplest form, is an extended hand, inviting a friend into your family. So the branch that was extended to me from the Russells was a long one, one that reached from Kentucky to Texas and back again. I offered the mesquite from my great state to add to their legendary Kentucky whiskey and together we made Longbranch.”

Bob Kunze-Concewitz, CEO at Campari Group, said “As a lover of Bourbon, and an integral part of the team, it was a natural next step for Matthew to partner with Eddie to create a new product for Wild Turkey. We are proud of the work they’ve done and have great expectations for this amazing new whiskey.”

Tasting note: Brassy gold. Aromas of pencil shavings / fresh-sawn oak, sweetening with gobstopper, caramel, vanilla and a delicate peppermint lift. Kind of like "The Forgiven", this offers more rye than most other Turkeys. Youthful, medium dry flavours of caramel fudge, vanilla and orange zest are countered by a crisp, mint-fresh finish. The spices are low key, and its mildly oily, dry and faintly smokey through the aftertaste. A shame Australia gets a lower proof version than the States. 40% Alc.Vol.