“Our goal was to make a straight bourbon whiskey with a soft sweetness that was still unmistakably Wild Turkey. The result was a bourbon that we both truly enjoy drinking neat, and look forward to sharing with others.”Eddie RussellClick to explore our complete library of reviews to help you choose your next perfect bottle.
Wild turkey Longbranch
- DISTILLER: Wild Turkey
- MASH BILL: 75% Corn | 13% Rye | 12% Malted Barley - Standard Wild Turkey mash bill
- AGE: 8 Years
- YEAR: 2018
- PROOF: 86 (43% ABV)
- MSRP: $40.00
Wild Turkey Longbranch Press Release
MATTHEW MCCONAUGHEY teams with bourbon hall of famer to LAUNCh New WILD TURKEY® LONGBRANCH™
Wild Turkey Creative Director McConaughey and Master Distiller Eddie Russell Unveil Small-Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Refined with Texas Mesquite
LAWRENCEBURG, KY (APRIL 10, 2018) –Today, Matthew McConaughey and the legendary Wild Turkey® Distillery are proud to announce the introduction of Wild Turkey Longbranch™, a collaboration between the iconic whiskey brand’s creative director and Master Distiller Eddie Russell. Inspired by McConaughey’s Kentucky and Texas roots, this rare small-batch Kentucky bourbon is refined with Texas Mesquite and oak charcoals – a unique method that deepens the flavor and complexity of the whiskey. This launch marks the first time Wild Turkey has unveiled a product that bears a signature of someone other than the Master Distillers Jimmy and Eddie Russell.
A video of the creation of Wild Turkey Longbranch with McConaughey can be found here.
Wild Turkey Longbranch is the latest collaboration to come from the multi-year partnership with the Academy Award® winning actor. McConaughey, who has served as the brand’s creative director since 2016, has worked behind the camera and in front of it in television commercials to reintroduce the world to Wild Turkey, and this new bourbon is a natural evolution of the partnership. The name is inspired by the friends that form the longest branches of our family trees.
The connections that McConaughey and the Russells have to both the great states of Kentucky and Texas were a major inspiration for this collaboration. McConaughey’s parents met at the University of Kentucky, a mere 15 miles from the Wild Turkey Distillery, while Eddie Russell’s youngest son, Bruce, now lives in McConaughey’s hometown of Austin, Texas.
“Longbranch, in its simplest form, is an extended hand, inviting a friend into your family,” McConaughey says. “So the branch that was extended to me from the Russells was a long one, one that reached from Kentucky to Texas and back again. I offered the Mesquite from my great state to add to their legendary Kentucky whiskey and together we made Longbranch.”
To create Longbranch's signature flavor, McConaughey and Russell spent countless hours sharing notes, then, after two years of testing, perfected a proprietary process that combines two separate charcoal filtration methods to give Longbranch a smooth and full finish. The first filtration process uses charcoal made from American White Oak and the second uses charcoal made from Texas Mesquite wood, giving the bourbon notes of smoky sweetness.
Made with eight-year-old Wild Turkey Bourbon, Wild Turkey Longbranch is an exceptional bourbon with a bright gold color and aroma that is a balanced blend of vanilla and spices. Flavors of caramel, pear, and hints of citrus round out the palate. The subtle, smoky finish is buttery smooth, with notes of gentle pepper and toasted oak. “When we were creating Wild Turkey Longbranch, we talked at length about how to make a product that represents elements of both Texas and Kentucky,” said Wild Turkey Master Distiller Eddie Russell. “Our goal was to make a straight bourbon whiskey with a soft sweetness that was still unmistakably Wild Turkey. The result was a bourbon that we both truly enjoy drinking neat, and look forward to sharing with others.”
“Matthew McConaughey has been ingrained in the Wild Turkey brand as creative director for several years now,” said Bob Kunze-Concewitz, CEO at Campari Group, owner of Wild Turkey. “As a lover of bourbon, and an integral part of the team, it was a natural next step for Matthew to partner with Eddie to create a new product for Wild Turkey. We are proud of the work they’ve done and have great expectations for this amazing new whiskey.”
Wild Turkey Longbranch will be available on shelves across the US in May for a suggested retail price of $39.99 and will roll-out to additional markets around the world later this year.
Disclaimer: Wild Turkey provided Bourbon & Banter with a sample of their product for this review. We appreciate their willingness to allow us to review their products with no strings attached. Thank you.
Patrick Garrett, "Pops" as he's known to his friends, is the founder of Bourbon & Banter, LLC and claims the title of Chief Drinking Officer (CDO). A long-time marketing professional and photographer, Pops hopes to use his professional experience and love of Bourbon to spread the Bourbon Gospel and help everyone realize the therapeutic power of having a good drink with friends. Read Patrick's full profile.
[…] Wild Turkey Longbranch Review Bourbon & Banter Posted on Thursday, April 19, 2018 12:12 pm 0 Bourbon […]
Had some on our MIssouri Whiskey Society trip to Kentucky last weekend. Your review was on target
Thanks, Dennis.
Thanks for the review, I’ve been really undecided if I want to pick this one up. After reading your review I think this one is for me is a solid choice.
I always thought you couldn’t call it bourbon if it was filtered through charcoal? Can someone enlighten me? Thanks:)
As long as it’s in new charred oak barrells for a minimum of two years it’s considered bourbon, as long as it’s that you can do anything you want to it and still call it bourbon
WT…..Why go into such a venture after a just 2 short year collaboration?
At 86 proof, what will be next?
Maybe an ultra exclusive Longbrach at 90 proof, coming out next week?
I love Wild Turkey, but will never buy this stuff before it disappears from the market.
IMHO, Pure Hipster Bait
…. Sorry, up until this point, I really liked the creative collaboration between WT and McConaughey.
Best title ever for PATRICK “POPS” GARRETT, we have a career path at work , a where do you want to be 5 years from now – I too want to be the CDO
As a long term WT 101 and Rare Breed fan boy, I wasn’t sure I’d like the RR10 when it first came out. Tried it and loved it, even though it’s smoother. And I really love the RR SB! That made it easier for me to try Longbranch. Totally different approach, being smooth as a baby’s bottom, but it still has that wonderful WT aroma and taste. Even if I didn’t like 101, I think I’d like this. The proof is perfect to drink neat, or maybe with a drop or two of water. Will buy again, unless they kick the price way up.
Hell yeah. I am not a liquor drinker for the most part, but, WOW! Yes, sir. This is MY drink now. I hope they will start selling pint sized bottles to fit in my pocket. Ain’t guna lie. The ONLY reason I even tried it was because of Matthew McConaughey. Is an incredible drink.