Wild Turkey Rare Breed is the bottle we hand to guests in West Seattle who want to taste bourbon at full strength, exactly as it comes from the barrel. It is a barrel-proof Kentucky straight bourbon from the Russell family distillery in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, blended from a marriage of aged stocks and bottled with no added water. At Camp West we keep it on the shelf for the curious sipper, the person who has worked through the standard pours and wants to feel what Wild Turkey tastes like undiluted.
About the Distillery
Rare Breed comes from Wild Turkey in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, where Jimmy and Eddie Russell have guided the whiskey for decades. Rare Breed is their barrel-proof expression, a blend of different-aged Wild Turkey bourbons brought together and bottled at the strength they come out of the barrel. It is a showcase of the distillery’s house style without the usual proofing-down.
Style & Mash Bill
This is a barrel-proof Kentucky straight bourbon, meaning no water is added after aging. It uses Wild Turkey’s signature high-corn, rye-and-barley mash bill, the same recipe behind 101. Because it is bottled at barrel strength, the proof varies by batch, landing around 116 proof. Check the label on the bottle for the exact figure of the batch we are pouring.
Tasting Notes
Rare Breed delivers a deep, layered nose of vanilla, caramel, and seasoned oak with dark fruit. The palate is rich and concentrated, with toffee, baking spice, leather, and a robust char-driven warmth that the barrel proof carries through cleanly. The finish is long and full. It is powerful but remarkably balanced for its strength.
How to Enjoy It at Camp West
We pour Wild Turkey Rare Breed for $19. We suggest starting neat to meet it at full strength, then adding a few drops of water or a small cube to open it up and tame the heat to your taste. It also makes a deeply flavorful Old Fashioned for those who want extra backbone. Your bartender is happy to guide the pour.
FAQ
What proof is Wild Turkey Rare Breed? It is a barrel-proof bourbon, so the proof varies by batch and lands around 116 proof. The exact figure is printed on each bottle.
What does barrel proof mean? It means no water is added after aging, so you taste the bourbon at the strength it comes out of the barrel.
Come find your strength. Book a table, browse the full whiskey list, or explore our complete beverage menu.