Rye & Straight Whiskey

Wild Turkey 101 Christmas Rye – 1999 Bottling (Austin Nichols)

750mL

Wild Turkey 101 Christmas Rye – 1999 Bottling The Wild Turkey 'Christmas Rye' is a collectible holiday release from the Austin Nichols era. Jimmy Russell developed it after the distillery decided to start making its own rye whiskey in the 1970s. It was a straight rye bottled at 101 proof and released only now and then around the holidays during the 1980s and 1990s, after which it was discontinued. The label is the classic Austin Nichols design, with red lettering and a turkey on a dark green background. The original release came out years before Wild Turkey's current rye range, so bottles from this run are among the rarest Wild Turkey ryes collectors look for. Product Details • Distillery: Wild Turkey (Austin Nichols Distilling Co., Lawrenceburg, Kentucky) • Style: Straight Rye Whiskey • Proof / ABV: 101 proof (50.5% ABV) • Mash Bill: 51% rye, 37% corn, 12% malted barley (as reported for the original Christmas Rye) • Availability: Vintage holiday bottling, no longer produced Why It Stands Out Wild Turkey released the Christmas Rye only in certain years and stopped making it in the late 1990s, so few sealed bottles are still around. In November 2026 the distillery announced a new Austin Nichols Archives 'Christmas Rye Edition' that pays tribute to it, which has brought new attention to the original bottles. Serving Suggestions This is a collector's bottle, best saved for a special occasion. Pour it neat in a small glass so you can taste a rye from an earlier era of Wild Turkey. Stop by Bansum Wine & Liquor in Patchogue or order online for shipping.