Raspberry | White grape | Dried apricot | Peach | Marmalade | Seasoned oak

White grape | Strawberry jam | Grilled peach | Sweet oak

Cranberry | Dried apricot | Raspberry | Plum | Black cherry | Leather | Dry oak | Light oak tannins

This release is part of World Whiskey Society’s Family Reserve Collection, which consists of ultra-premium, limited releases tied to the company’s family legacy and the founding of AIKO Brands. The inaugural release was a 20 year old bourbon, and the follow-up dropped 3 years in age, but picked up three finishing barrel types.

The base of World Whiskey Society Family Reserve 17 Year is confirmed to be “Buff Turkey” bourbon, which is whiskey distilled for Wild Turkey at Buffalo Trace Distillery. As World Whiskey Society often does, they took it further by finishing it in white port, Tokaji wine, and Armagnac barrels. Few producers that have sourced Buff Turkey bourbon have chosen to finish it. Though an argument could be made, why would anyone finish a 17 year old bourbon? Perhaps the better question is: Why haven’t more producers finished a 17 year old Buff Turkey bourbon? The results speak for themselves.

This is an extremely flavorful bourbon thanks to its three finishing barrels. Huge fruit notes are found throughout, and though the bourbon’s age takes a back seat to them, the bourbon’s high age helps add weight, creating a bourbon that is heavy in your mouth.

The aroma features a wide range of fruit scents, including raspberry, white grape, dried apricot, peach, and marmalade, with seasoned oak near the tail end. The palate and finish follow suit. White grape combined with strawberry jam and grilled peaches are the palate’s main players, with cranberry, dried apricot, raspberry, plum, and black cherry taking command of the finish.  Oak is found throughout, beginning sweet, but turning dry and slightly tannic by the end.

World Whiskey Society Family Reserve 17 Year is a potent bourbon that dishes a lot of fruit flavor to the drinker all at once, and sorting through them is part of the experience. It’s not elegant in its delivery, but one that wants to make an instant impression - and in that sense it most certainly does. As expected, the price is high, but what you get in return is actually worth it.

The bourbon in review is bottle number 13 of 149 from barrel #38-086.