Writer David Jennings is broadly thought to be essentially the most distinguished Wild Turkey historian within the whiskey world. After spending years among the many ranks of bourbon fanatics on Reddit, David’s perception on obscure laser codes and his methodical method to figuring out the traits of “Dusty Turkey” was rewarded with recognition in main publications. From there he quickly graduated to writing his personal weblog, Uncommon Fowl 101, devoted to all of his musings on the model he loves above all others.
Then in 2020 he launched his first e book, American Spirit: Wild Turkey Bourbon from Ripy to Russell, which charted the legacy of the model and solidified Jennings’ transition from super-fan to authoritative determine. Now, comfortably cemented because the go-to supply for all issues Wild Turkey, David Jennings is again with a brand new e book. Wild Turkey Musings: A Whiskey Author’s Retrospective highlights a few of his most sagacious insights from his years writing on the net and distills them all the way down to a kind of “best hits” that he’s then accentuated with up to date info, related context, art work by Ricky Body, and pictures by Victor Sizemore.
As one of many early Kickstarter supporters for each of David’s books I used to be anxious to talk to him about how this newest tome got here to fruition and so I spoke to Mr. Uncommon Fowl himself to be taught extra. Learn forward to listen to a bit about his journey, his favourite Wild Turkey expression of all time, and what the historian hopes to see for the way forward for his favourite model.
Drinkhacker: Within the foreword of your newest e book, written by Fred Minnick, he says to be a whiskey author, “you want ardour to inform a narrative that nobody else can inform.” What’s it about Wild Turkey that basically stirs your ardour?
David Jennings: I suppose I’ll must reply your query with extra questions. What makes somebody your favourite musical artist? Why is a sure sport or sports activities workforce your favourite?
I can’t say precisely why I like Wild Turkey as a lot as I do, however I can say that it speaks to me. I like the flavour profiles. I like the model’s historical past. And I like the Russell household and every little thing they’ve performed, and proceed to do, to make Wild Turkey what it’s and has been for many years.
Drinkhacker: How did you get your begin as a whiskey author?
David Jennings: I began out writing whiskey opinions on Reddit’s r/Bourbon discussion board. Wanting again, it taught me quite a bit about respecting the opinions of others.
Drinkhacker: What was the method like for you in compiling this e book in comparison with your first?
David Jennings: The primary e book, American Spirit, was very very like sampling a whiskey blind. I had no clue what I used to be entering into, however I used to be excited to dive in and determine it out. The second e book, Wild Turkey Musings, was fascinating as a result of a bulk of the writing was already accomplished. The difficult half was compiling and modifying it – determining which weblog posts could be included and in the event that they flowed with the overarching theme of my retrospective.
Drinkhacker: Was it simpler or tougher to craft your second e book?
David Jennings: Wild Turkey Musings was rather more troublesome than I’d initially envisioned it. I believed it will be a easy course of – choose the weblog posts, edit the weblog posts, add my writer’s notes, throw in some pics, whip up a design, and performed! Ha! I most likely spent simply as a lot time on Musings as I did American Spirit (and Spirit was written from scratch).
Drinkhacker: What are some standout classes that you simply’ve realized in your journey as a whiskey author since beginning your weblog, Uncommon Fowl 101, in 2016?
David Jennings: That assumptions are harmful issues.
Drinkhacker: As maybe the premier Wild Turkey historian, I do know folks ceaselessly ask you to call the “better of one of the best” from the model. What reply do you have a tendency to offer folks?
David Jennings: Greatest is a relative time period. To me, there’s no such factor as a single “greatest whiskey ever” or “greatest whiskey on the earth.” Individuals are totally different and dynamic. Palates develop and alter. After which, there’s so many types of whiskey. Zero in on Wild Turkey and you’ve got no less than three main classes – bourbon, rye, and whiskey-based liqueurs (to not point out completed whiskeys, bourbon and rye blends, RTDs, and many others.). However in the event you had been to pin me underneath a barrel and ask for “one of the best,” right here’s just a few releases I’d most likely utter: the 2006 Grasp Distiller Choice (export), Russell’s Reserve 1998, Grasp’s Hold Revival, and the 17-year Bottled in Bond.
Drinkhacker: For a very long time Wild Turkey was considerably neglected, however with more moderen expressions like Russell’s Reserve 13 and Single Rickhouse flying off the cabinets that’s clearly modified. When do you assume that started and why do you assume that’s?
David Jennings: Curiously, this subject comes up in Wild Turkey Musings. First, and most significantly, it’s high-quality whiskey. If it weren’t, I don’t assume we’d see it as fashionable as it’s at present. Second, with bourbon’s increase the extra generally lauded expressions (many from Buffalo Hint) turned much more scarce. That led to folks branching out and overcoming the “frat boy/biker bar” stigma Wild Turkey sadly carries. It’s been a sluggish battle, however tasting is believing.
As for when the current stage of consideration began, Grasp’s Hold Cornerstone’s launch (2019) was the primary time I seen of us having issue discovering a bottle. By the point Grasp’s Hold Bottled in Bond got here out (2020), the Turkey craze was in full swing.
Drinkhacker: Wild Turkey has lengthy been the “everyman’s whiskey” and a part of that is because of their traditionally reasonably priced costs. Nonetheless, recently they’ve been pricing their restricted editions extra in accordance with business requirements. Do you assume that’s reflective of a change in Wild Turkey or a change out there?
David Jennings: I believe a bit of each. No enterprise needs to depart cash on the desk, and bourbon has been underpriced for scores. Manufacturers know this and are at the moment adjusting to satisfy heightened demand. Heritage distilleries, like Wild Turkey, have been cautious to maintain their core merchandise reasonably priced. The hefty will increase you’re seeing are with extra of the enthusiast-oriented and limited-edition choices. If Grasp’s Hold is out of your comfy or superb spending vary, there’s all the time Wild Turkey 101 or Uncommon Breed (which stay two of one of the best values in American whiskey).
Drinkhacker: In your first e book, American Spirit: Wild Turkey Bourbon From Ripy to Russell, you cowl the complete historical past of the Wild Turkey model in depth. What was essentially the most fascinating a part of that historical past that you simply uncovered throughout your analysis for the e book?
David Jennings: It wasn’t a factual discovery, however extra of an understanding or acceptance that Wild Turkey began as a grocer’s home model, not a distillery. Previous to 1971, and arguably for a short while afterwards, Wild Turkey 101 was produced with sourced bourbon. Most of it got here from Anderson County, however not all of it. So anybody who has an issue with sourced whiskey in 2022 ought to contemplate that the costly dusty stuff may’ve originated wherever within the Bluegrass State.
Drinkhacker: Lastly, what would you prefer to see for the way forward for Wild Turkey?
David Jennings: Staying true to what Jimmy Russell has constructed, however on the similar time, not repeating it. I like that Eddie, and now Bruce, have provided their very own takes on Wild Turkey. What they do, they do with respect to Jimmy. It might not all the time be issues Jimmy would really like or do, however they do them within the Jimmy means. I hope that continues for years to return.
David Jennings’ new e book, Wild Turkey Musings: A Whiskey Author’s Retrospective is accessible for quick buy now at mascotbooks.com
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