Wild Turkey Longbranch is a collaboration between Wild Turkey Master Distiller, Eddie Russell and Matthew McConaughey, Wild Turkey Creative Director.
Wild Turkey Longbranch with Matthew McConaughey and Master Distiller Eddie Russell– Photo Supplied
Speaking at the Sydney launch, Eddie Russell related how Matthew McConaughey wanted to create a perfect bourbon for himself and looked at creating a whiskey inspired by McConaughey’s Kentucky and Texas roots. The two began talking two and a half years ago, sharing notes and tasting samples until the liquid was perfected.
Wild Turkey Longbranch was inspired by McConaughey’s early years camping in the woods and drinking Wild Turkey 101 around a campfire lit with Mesquite wood. The name, Longbranch was chosen by McConaughey as a nod of appreciation to Wild Turkey extending a branch out to him and treating him as family.
Wild Turkey Longbranch (40% ABV) is made with 8 yo bourbon as a tribute to Jimmy Russell’s 8 yo Wild Turkey 101. It consists of 75% corn, 13% rye and 10% malted barley. The bourbon undergoes two charcoal filtration methods, the first using charcoal from American white oak, and the other uses charcoal from Texas Mesquite wood which gives the bourbon its signature notes of subtle wood smoke.
Longbranch comes in a solid glass square bottle and is the first expression to have a name on the bottle aside from Jimmy and Eddie Russell. Though it bears his name, McConaughey chose a small label as he wanted the whisky to be prominent. Longbranch is a Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, and Master Distiller Eddie Russell has worked closely with the US government to ensure it would have that denomination.
The liquid has a golden colour and a flavour profile that combines sweet caramel notes with citrus, pepper, toasted oak, hazelnuts and a signature subtle smoke finish. It stands up well in classic cocktails and makes for good sipping neat or on ice.
This article was originally published on February 11, 2015 on our sister website Gourmantic.
