Wild Turkey 16-Year Gold Foil Bourbon Released

Legend Returns: A Tribute to the Ultimate High-Age 'Cheesy Gold Foil' Bourbon

Wild Turkey distillery has announced the launch of its new annual limited-release series, the Austin Nichols Archives Collection, succeeding last year's concluded Master’s Keep series. Crafted by Associate Blender Bruce Russell, this collection aims to pay homage to the most revered and rare bottlings in the distillery's history. The inaugural release, titled Gold Foil Edition, is a 16-year-old Kentucky Straight Bourbon matured in Kentucky, USA, bottled at 120 proof. The design is inspired by the legendary bottling from the 1980s and 90s, affectionately known by collectors as "Cheesy Gold Foil."

The Russell Family’s Three-Generation Legacy

This new series symbolizes the generational craft of the Russell family. Bruce Russell worked alongside his father Eddie Russell and grandfather Jimmy Russell to infuse the family’s distillation traditions into the project. Bruce revealed that the concept originated over a decade ago, intending to re-envision distillery classics through a modern lens. As the series opener, Gold Foil Edition showcases the refined skills Bruce honed under his elders' guidance, perfectly inheriting the heritage and spirit of Wild Turkey.

Selected from Legendary Warehouses: The High-Age Splendor of the Glut Era

Gold Foil Edition is non-chill filtered, with barrels selected from Camp Nelson warehouses F, D, and E. It is inspired by the "Glut Era," a time when Jimmy Russell often blended high-aged stocks into standard releases. This expression offers notes of dark fruit, oak, and leather with a long finish. The bottle features an autumn hunting scene, a nod to the brand's origins, with future releases set to include hidden "Easter eggs" for fans. This series signals the brand’s ambition in the premium market, satisfying collectors' desire for whiskies with historical depth.

📅 Release Date: 2026-05-19

🔗 Source: https://thewhiskeywash.com/whiskey-news/wild-turkey-austin-nichols-archives-gold-foil-edition-bourbon/