HOLIDAY GIFT IDEAS

Share, welcome guests and toast with essential spirit Wild Turkey

By Jennifer English James Beard Award Winner Editor-at-Large and Chief Correspondent of PR%F Live!

Photos courtesy of Wild Turkey

Once and for all, Benjamin Franklin did not nominate the Wild Turkey as our National Bird. That is a myth. We find ourselves deep in Harvest abundance and gratitude each year, preparing to celebrate with food and drink. However, Roast Turkey is, in fact, the National Bird of our collective Thanksgiving Table, memorialized by ritual, confirmed by custom, and idealized by Norman Rockwell. In short, while the Wild Turkey was the runner-up in America’s National Bird pageant, it became even more beloved than the bird on the dollar bill. This time of year is a celebration of gratitude with family and friends through food and drink and giftgiving. For 2021, with so much to be grateful for, it became important to show the people who are special to me just that. With that in mind, I decided to curate my 2021 holiday gifts from the Wild Turkey family of bottlings. Today, Wild Turkey Distilling operates one of the most fascinating and welcoming locations on both the Kentucky Bourbon Trail and the American Whiskey Trail in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky. From here, the Wild Turkey tradition, which dates back to 1891 when Thomas Ripy founded what was then known as the Old Hickory Distillery, is generating well-deserved global acclaim for the range of bottlings produced. The company is owned by the Austin Nichols Division of the Campari Group, which acquired the distillery from global spirits powerhouse Pernod Ricard in 2009. Today there are many bottlings under the Wild Turkey brand, including both the Rye and Bourbon whiskies.

To start with, as essential to the Thanksgiving Table as the roast turkey is, Wild Turkey 81 Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon is the essential spirit with which to welcome guests and toast to our collective gratitude. Wild Turkey Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is, at 81 proof, one of the most delicious, distinctive, and prized examples of the Kentucky Bourbon distiller’s craft. For Bourbon connoisseurs and novices alike, the beautiful, rich amber color and soft vanilla notes make this Kentucky Bourbon so popular that it has spawned a significant “cult” culture and become as famous in music, film, and song as any product could ever dream of achieving. Of the dozens of films that feature Wild Turkey, one of the most apropos is National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation. Wild Turkey 81 is a superb “spike” for any egg nog recipe, but it works especially well in this one here. As for my own Christmas List? I asked Santa for my favorite, the Wild Turkey Spirit, a delicious single barrel 101 proof bourbon hand-selected by the Wild Turkey Master Distiller Jimmy Russell. In order to get one of these rare bottles, you need to visit the Wild Turkey Gift Shop, which is the only place to get a bottle. This amazing bottling is worth coming to Versailles, Kentucky, and staying at our beautiful Landmark Olde Woodford Hotel to acquire some.

May Your Holidays Be Safe, Merry & Bright.

Olde Woodford Hotel Egg Nog Recipe

Ingredients:

• 4 cups heavy cream • 3 cups milk • 9 large eggs, separated, the whites at room temperature • 3/4 cup sugar • 1 cup Wild Turkey 81 • 1 teaspoon Massey’s vanilla • ¼ teaspoon salt • Whole nutmeg for grating on top

I prefer to use an old-fashioned hand-crank egg beater, and everyone takes a turn. But yes, you can use a power mixer to beat the eggs in a giant bowl. Getting to silky ribbons is better with a hand crank mixer. Either way, beat yolks and sugar together until the mixture is thick and pale and drips satin ribbons. In another large bowl, beat two-thirds of the egg whites until they hold soft peaks. In another large bowl, beat whites to soft peaks. Lovingly fold the whites into yolk mixture until combined well and fold in the whipped cream gently, thoroughly. At the Old Woodford Hotel, we serve this in an antique cut glass punchbowl. When ready to serve, whisk in the Wild Turkey, the vanilla, the milk, and the salt. Chill the eggnog, covered, 4-6 hours, and overnight is best. Just before serving, grate fresh nutmeg on each cup.

Gift-Worthy Offerings from Wild Turkey

• Wild Turkey 81 Proof • Wild Turkey 81 Proof Rye • Wild Turkey 101 Proof • Wild Turkey 101 Proof Rye • Wild Turkey Rare Breed (a barrel proof blend of 6, 8 and 12-year-old stocks) • Wild Turkey Kentucky Spirit (a single barrel 101 proof bourbon) • Wild Turkey Longbranch (86 proof bourbon refined with oak and Texas mesquite charcoal) • Wild Turkey Master’s Keep 17 Year (100 proof) • Wild Turkey Master’s Keep Decades (104 proof) • Wild Turkey Master’s Keep Revival (101 proof)