Everything You Need To Know About Buff Turkey Bourbon

For the past several months a new term has created extreme buzz in the bourbon blogosphere. "Buff Turkey" bourbon (AKA "BuffTurkey") checks all the boxes for whiskey collectors: It's scarce. It's expensive. And the distillers behind the collaboration have rampant fans. Like some unholy hybrid plucked from the MCU multiverse, Buff Turkey fuses two of Kentucky's most iconic whiskey brands: Buffalo Trace and Wild Turkey. Online hype has sent prices skyrocketing, creating frustration for consumers and igniting social media chatter over the origins of the newest "must-have" rare whiskey.

What Is Buff Turkey Bourbon?

"Buff Turkey" refers to bourbon that was distilled by Buffalo Trace for Wild Turkey. The story goes that around 2010 Wild Turkey Distillery was undergoing expansion following its purchase by Campari. In order to ensure a consistent supply of whiskey, Wild Turkey reportedly partnered with Buffalo Trace Distillery to produce bourbon while their facilities were under construction.

Though produced at Buffalo Trace Distillery, the bourbon used Wild Turkey’s traditional mash bill of 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley. It was then aged at Wild Turkey, in some cases for up to 16 years. The resulting distillate, however, was deemed to be significantly different from the typical Wild Turkey taste profile. Instead of releasing it under the Wild Turkey label, these barrels were sold off to non-distiller producers (NDPs).

The Jersey Buff Turkey

Adding a layer of irony to the bourbon buzz is the fact that the "Buff Turkey" isn't just a catchy nickname concocted by whiskey enthusiasts. The Buff or Jersey Buff turkey, seen below, is an actual domestic breed, recognized for its distinctive buff-colored plumage. Interestingly, the warm, reddish-brown hue of this avian namesake bears a striking resemblance to the bird featured prominently on the iconic Wild Turkey bourbon bottle.

The Buff or Jersey Buff Turkey. Photo by Marcel Rontzsch.

Understanding Non-Distiller Producers

Non-Distiller Producers, or NDPs, are companies that source whiskey from existing distilleries and then bottle and sell it under their own brand name. Many well-respected brands, such as Michter's and Willett, started out as NDPs, carefully selecting and blending barrels to create their desired flavor profiles before eventually establishing their own distilling operations. Even established distilleries like Wild Turkey occasionally source bourbon to supplement their own production or to experiment with different flavor profiles.

A Tale of Two Distilleries: Wild Turkey & Buffalo Trace

Wild Turkey and Buffalo Trace are pillars of Kentucky bourbon. Besides the fantasy of legendary master distillers Harlen Wheatley at Buffalo Trace and the Russell family at Wild Turkey collaborating on a bourbon, the intrigue surrounding Buff Turkey is a result of the distinctive characteristics of the two distilleries involved. Wild Turkey is a beloved legacy brand, with a lineage that stretches back to the 1940s, and is celebrated for its bold character, often exhibiting prominent spicy and cherry notes. 

While its distillery site boasts a history dating back to the 1800s, the Buffalo Trace brand as we know it today is relatively newer, gaining prominence in the 1990s. The distillery’s legend grew thanks to its sourcing several well known NDPs, most notably its production of the highly coveted Pappy Van Winkle line. Buffalo Trace bourbons are known for their sweet, mellow character, a byproduct of their low rye content, which ranges between 7 - 9%, and their celebrated wheated bourbon mash bill.

Buff Turkey For Sale

The so-called Buff Turkey bourbon has recently found its way to consumers through various NDP releases. The 14 to 16-year age statements on these releases are particularly enticing to bourbon enthusiasts. As bourbon's popularity surged in recent years, older, well-aged stocks became increasingly scarce and therefore more desirable, often commanding higher prices. Notable Buff Turkey releases include Dark Arts 15-year single barrel “Omnia Vanitas", O.K.I Spirits 16-Year Single Barrel #21, which was cited by Uproxx as one of the best whiskeys of the year, and River Roots  "Mecha Buff Turkey" 16 Year 6 Month Bourbon Barrel #916, which makes its origins explicit.

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Response to the Buff Turkey bourbons has followed a pattern familiar to anyone acquainted with the world of bourbon. The releases have sold out quickly and are now fetching prices well above their initial MSRP on the secondary market. While reviews have generally been positive, some have dismissed the hype as mere marketing ploys. However, amidst widespread speculation about a cooling bourbon market and forecasts predicting the end of the recent boom, it's refreshing to witness something that still captures the collective imagination and reignites enthusiasm within the bourbon community. Then again, if you don't want to spend three-to-four figures on a bottle of bourbon, you can find a Jersey buff turkey for sale at your local hatchery for $17.99.