Wild Turkey Releases Gold Foil Edition Bourbon, a Nod to Vintage 1980s Bottles

Wild Turkey has launched the Gold Foil Edition, the first bourbon in its new Austin Nichols Archives Collection, paying homage to the highly sought-after 'Cheesy Gold Foil' bottles from the 1980s and 1990s. These vintage 'dusties' are prized by collectors for their unique flavor profile, a result of production practices from that era, including the use of wooden fermenters (phased out by 2000) and a lower barrel-entry proof of 107 (raised to 115 in 2006). The new expression is a 16-year-old bourbon bottled at 120 proof, aged at the Camp Nelson site in rickhouses F, D, and E. It was overseen by associate master blender Bruce Russell, the grandson of master distiller Jimmy Russell and son of Eddie Russell, continuing the family legacy. The release marks the first new high-end series after the final Master's Keep release, Beacon. Priced at $400 per bottle, it will be available later this month at liquor stores nationwide. The bottle and packaging draw inspiration from old distillery advertising, with each release featuring a unique Easter egg on the label. According to Bruce Russell, the bourbon is a personal favorite and a tribute to Wild Turkey fans.