2021 24 Days of Whisk(e)y - Day 7

Day 7 of 24 Days of Whisk(e)y ... today, Wild Turkey Rare Breed Barrel Proof, coming in at 58.4% ABV. While no age statement is on this whiskey, it's believed to be a blend of 6, 8 and 12 year. Wild Turkey 101 is probably my favorite budget bourbon, so I've been wanting to review the barrel proof Rare Breed.

On the nose, there is some barrel proof sharpness, along with caramel, vanilla, citrus, some oak and when I came back to it, some tobacco. The taste I get sweet up front, then spicy pepper coming in after that, along with maple sugar, and tobacco. The finish I get maple and caramel, with spice in the background, then tobacco and wood trailing off. 

With water, the nose is more floral and baking spice. More sweet on the taste, but with a spicy/hotter finish. It's good either way. I don't have many high proof bourbons to compare this to currently. Comparing it to Old Forester 1920 (57.5% ABV), the Old Forester is just completely different with a lot of cherry on the flavor. Comparing it to Old Granddad 114 (57% ABV) - that one just is a lot lower end with nowhere near the finish. 

Overall this is pretty good, I give it a 3.75 / 5.0, but I would like to compare it to some other higher proof bourbons, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof, or Russel Reserve for example.