WIN A TRIP FOR TWO TO WILD TURKEY’S KENTUCKY DISTILLERY
There’s only one way to truly get to know real bourbon—go straight to the source to see its home for yourself.
That’s why we’re giving you the chance to win an all expenses paid trip for two to Kentucky, where you’ll have the opportunity to walk through the distillery halls and hear the compelling stories and traditions behind Wild Turkey’s unique past, with memorabilia dating back to before prohibition.
Enter your details below for your chance to visit Kentucky and take a step into Wild Turkey’s storied history and experience its heritage first-hand.
Competition entries open on 18th October 2023 and close on 31st December 2023.
EXPERIENCE THE BOURBON MAKING PROCESS
Here we pull back the curtain on making bourbon whiskey. Discover the complex process perfected by our Master Distillers. From the selection of our corn, barley and rye grains to the aging of our bourbon barrels, it’s a process that we love to share with enthusiasts and visitors from around the world.
HISTORIC RICKHOUSES
Step into bourbon history by taking in our majestic rickhouses. Each one is seven stories tall, filled with barrels of Wild Turkey Bourbon and Rye. Learn about the ageing process and see why the elevation level of each barrel greatly influences its flavor.
WILD TURKEY DISTILLERY HISTORY
1840-1850*
The Ripy family opens a general store in Tyrone, KY (named in honor of Tyrone, Ireland).
1850-1859*
A distillery operating as Old Moore is built in Tyrone, KY, in the general area that would eventually become Wild Turkey Distillery.
1873
T. B. Ripy builds a new distillery, increasing capacity from 600 bushels to over 1,200 bushels per day.
1883-1885
B. Ripy acquires ownership of additional Kentucky distilleries, including Belle of Anderson Distillery and Old Joe Distillery.
1919
The 18th Amendment (Prohibition) puts an end to many distilleries, including the Kentucky Distilleries and Warehouse Co. and Ripy Brothers Distillery.
1933
The 21st Amendment (Repeal of Prohibition) enables the Ripy family to restore and rebuild the distillery located on their property.
1935*
Construction of the new Ripy Brothers Distillery is completed in Lawrenceburg, KY; the Ripys begin to produce whiskey under contract.
1940
Austin, Nichols executive Thomas McCarthy envisions the Wild Turkey brand and its signature 101 proof; Ripy Brothers Distillery enters into a production agreement with Schenley Distillers.
1954
Jimmy Russell begins employment at Anderson County Distilling Co.
1967
Jimmy Russell is promoted to Master Distiller.
1971
Austin, Nichols & Co. purchases the J. T. S. Brown & Sons Distillery (now Wild Turkey Distillery) in Lawrenceburg, KY; the first series of Wild Turkey decanters are produced.
1981
Eddie Russell begins work at Wild Turkey as a relief operator (Eddie states his actual title as "General Helper").
2000
A fire destroys Warehouse J at Wild Turkey in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky; bottling moves to Lawrenceburg, Indiana.
2011
The new Wild Turkey Distillery begins operations in Lawrenceburg, KY and replaces the old Austin, Nichols/Boulevard/Anderson County/Ripy Bros. Distillery.
2014
A new Wild Turkey Visitors Centre (informally dubbed a "Cathedral to Bourbon") opens to the public.
2015
Eddie Russell named Master Distiller; Bruce Russell begins as Brand Ambassador.
ENTER NOW
Celebrate the award-winning wild turkey distillery with us
Inspired by the silhouette of a famous Kentucky tobacco barn, the Wild Turkey distillery is a time-honored icon that’s celebrating 90 years since it was rebuilt in 1933. To mark the occasion, we’ve launched a limited time only collectable range, with a unique heritage design as a tribute to our Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, home!