Wild Turkey Austin Nichols Archives Gold Foil Edition Review

Wild Turkey
Austin Nichols Archives Gold Foil Edition
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
120 Proof
SRP: $400
Review by Ray Marcano

Please enjoy our Wild Turkey Austin Nichols Archives Gold Foil Edition Review by Ray Marcano!

Short take: Funky, oaky, and leathery, its unique taste profile will appeal to Master’s Keep fans.

Background

This is the inaugural bottling of the Wild Turkey Austin Nichols Archives Gold Foil Edition. From the press release: “Gold Foil Edition pays homage to the exceptional whiskeys that emerged during the so-called ‘Glut Era,’ a period when whiskey fell out of favor and inventories swelled. During that time, Jimmy [Russell] often blended older barrels into standard bottlings, creating bourbons with remarkable depth, intensity, and the distinctive ‘mature oak funk’ that many enthusiasts believe is rarely found in modern releases. To recreate the richness, character, and unmistakable profile of that era, Gold Foil Edition was crafted with a longer aging process and higher proof, allowing [Associate Blender] Bruce [Russell] to achieve exactly what he set out to create.”

Details – Wild Turkey Austin Nichols Archives Gold Foil Edition Review

• Distillery: Wild Turkey Distilling Co.
• Expression: Austin Nichols Archives Gold Foil Edition
• Type: Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• Age: 16 Years
• Series: Austin Nichols Archives Collection (Inaugural Release)
• Proof: 120
• ABV: 60%
• Mash Bill: 75% Corn, 13% Rye, 12% Malted Barley
• Non-Chill Filtered: Yes
• Rickhouses: Camp Nelson F, D, and E
• Availability: Limited release: May 2026 in select markets
• SRP: $400

Tasting Notes – Wild Turkey Austin Nichols Archives Gold Foil Edition Review

Let’s taste it:

🛏 Rested: 15 minutes in a Glencairn glass

👉🏻 Nose: Sweet cherry, oak, vanilla, honey, brown sugar
👉🏻 Taste: Cherry, caramel, maple, vanilla, leather, oak
👉🏻 Finish: Black pepper, rye spice, oak, leather, cocoa

A Sweet Start Gives Way to Mature Oak

This is a bourbon that will fool you. It starts sweet on the nose and palate, then explodes with oak and leather. It’s been a long time since I’ve had the “Cheesy Gold Foil” 12-year from the mid-1980s to early 1990s, and I no longer have a bottle to compare with the newer release. But bourbon analysts say the 12- and 16-year hold many of the same characteristics. The Gold Foil’s oak and leather give way to strong pepper and rye spice on the finish. I rarely add a drop of water to bourbon, but I did in this case, and it was a big help. That one drop, in a 1.5-ounce pour, smoothed it out and dulled the oak and leather so that it better blended with the other flavors. I found it far more enjoyable that way, and it turned it into a bourbon I could sip.

A Worthy Successor to Master’s Keep – Wild Turkey Austin Nichols Archives Gold Foil Edition Review

With the end of the Master’s Keep series, the Gold Foil Edition will slide into that spot in Wild Turkey’s ultra-premium offerings. I found some of the Master’s Keep releases over-oaked, but Gold Foil has tamed that taste. Yes, Gold Foil is $75 or so more per bottle than Master’s Keep, but anyone who thinks that’s a problem should check the secondary market, where this newest bourbon sells for as much as $1,200. It won’t have a problem selling, especially to those who like this style of bourbon. I can’t think of another offering that’s this unique. I’m fortunate to get a sample because I doubt I’ll find a bottle in the wild. If I do, I’ll get one.

Have you tried the Wild Turkey Austin Nichols Archives Gold Foil Edition? What did you think? Cheers!🥃

We hope you have enjoyed our Wild Turkey Austin Nichols Archives Gold Foil Edition Review by Ray Marcano! Ray publishes a free monthly newsletter, The Bourbon Resource. You can subscribe here. Next, check out these related reviews: Wild Turkey 101 Bourbon Review, Wild Turkey Bottled in Bond Bourbon Review and Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Old Bourbon Review (2025).

Note: This sample was graciously provided by the Brand for my review. I appreciate it!

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