Wild Turkey must be approached from the east.
This is non-negotiable.
A serene drive through beautiful Kentucky countryside is abruptly ended by a sharp left turn and a 300 foot deep river gorge.
The scene was breathtaking, but for some reason the other drivers were not amused as I stood on the narrow bridge enjoying it.
Far below was the Kentucky River, up above was the old railroad trestle that used to supply the distillery, and perched atop the far cliff was the Wild Turkey distillery.
About a dozen people started the tour with a short movie in the visitor’s center, and then headed across the street to the distillery.
The tour guide busted me for the gross infraction of taking a picture of the rickhouses.
There is no picture taking at Wild Turkey, inside or out.
I didn't inquire about the reason; the lack of whiskey tasting must have gotten to me.
We headed inside and saw the column still, doubler, and tail box.
In the fermenting room we were encouraged to take a taste from several of the tanks.
We made a quick visit to a rickhouse and then passed through a warehouse on the way back to the visitor’s center.
Cases of Wild Turkey waiting for shipment were stacked to the ceiling, a mighty impressive sight.
Wild Turkey was by far the most "industrial" of the distilleries I visited.
It is all business and no glamour.
The other distilleries either fancy themselves up or keep you away from the business end of the operation.
Always on the lookout for a souvenir barrel head, I heard there was a barrel bone yard out behind the more remote warehouses.
Perfect, an illicit barrel head hunting trip.
The gates were open and sure enough, way out back were piles of disintegrating old barrels.
It was a weird time, I didn't know whether I'd get struck by a snake or pinched by the workers.
The pickings were pretty slim but I finally found something I could work with.
See the results on my barrel head page.
Dale was kind enough to send me a few pictures
from a tour of Wild Turkey he took with Jimmy Russell!
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