The iconic Master Distiller behind Wild Turkey Master’s Keep Voyage, Eddie Russell, officially launched the spirit in Australia this week.

The newest addition to its annual limited-edition series, Master’s Keep Voyage was crafted by Russell in partnership with Dr Joy Spence, the Master Blender at Appleton Estate rum.

Drinks Digest attended a tasting of the new spirit with Eddie and his son Bruce at M Bar in Sydney. Our verdict: the best Master’s Keep release to date.

The 106-proof expression of 10-year-old bourbon has been finished with a secondary maturation period in Jamaican rum casks, marking the first rum cask finish in Wild Turkey’s history. 

“Every year, we look forward to the release of Master’s Keep as an opportunity to rethink what our bourbon can be,” said Russell.

“Creating Master’s Keep Voyage in collaboration with Joy was a real privilege and I think our shared passion for telling a story through our spirits comes through in this one-of-a-kind whiskey.”

The Master’s Keep series was launched in 2015, stemming from Eddie’s desire to push the boundaries of traditional bourbon-making by experimenting with ageing techniques and finishes.

To create Master’s Keep Voyage, Dr Spence hand selected some of the finest casks from the iconic Jamaican rum house – casks which previously held 14-year-old pot still rum and would best complement the bold top notes and rich caramel undertones of Wild Turkey’s extra-aged bourbons.

The casks were then brought to the Wild Turkey Distilling Co. in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, where they were filled with Russell’s own hand selected batch of 10-year-old bourbon, which had been aged in Wild Turkey’s classic No. 4 char barrels.

“With Voyage, we had a very specific taste profile in mind,” said Dr Spence. “We really wanted to explore how the classic notes of rum and bourbon can work in harmony and create a really rich tasting experience for whiskey and rum fans alike.”

The Russells met with Wild Turkey fans in Perth, Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney during their visit to Australia.

Master’s Keep Voyage is available at Dan Murphy’s, First Choice, Liquorland and selected independent retailers for RRP $350.

Our favourite moments from The American Whiskey Show