Old Ripy Bourbon, like the Bond and Lillard, is part of Campari’s new Whiskey Barrons line. Also like B&L this Old Ripy Bourbon is sourced from Wild Turkey but neither Jimmy or Eddie had anything to do with picking the casks or blending together the barrels to get the flavor profile they were going for.
In Campari’s Words: Old Ripy
“Old Ripy is a combination of 8-year-old Kentucky Straight Bourbon with 12-year-old and younger whiskies for added complexity and oak. It is distilled at the Wild Turkey Distillery in Anderson County, aged in timber warehouses and non-chill filtered to retain congeners, fusil oils, lipid fats and proteins we believe you would find in the original. This results in more natural and complex flavor characteristics, fuller body, and a smooth but “chewier” mouthfeel.”
Even though Jimmy and Eddie weren’t directly involved in creating the Old Ripy it’s fairly interesting that this is the same proof as the Wild Turkey Decades and like the WTD it’s a mix of bourbons of various ages. To make matters even more interesting the blending of barrels aged 6, 8 and 12 years old is exactly what’s done to create the Wild Turkey Rare Breed.
Jimmy & Eddie may not have been directly involved, but the Old Ripy sure does have their influence running through it. The real challenge though will be seeing how it compares to the WTRB & WTD when we do the Old Ripy Bourbon review below.
Old Ripy Bourbon Info
Region: Kentucky, USA
Distiller: Wild Turkey
Mashbill: 75% Corn, 13% Rye, 12% Barley
Cask: New Charred Oak
Age: 6 Years Old (mix of 6, 8 & 12 years old bourbon)
ABV: 52%
Non-Chill Filtered | Natural Color
Price: $50 (375 ml)
Old Ripy Bourbon Review
EYE
Caramel
NOSE
Oak, caramel, vanilla, spice, roasted banana, citric acid and a bit of cupcake sweetness. There is an overall character of Bananas Foster to the aroma though with a spicy kick. A spiced Bananas Foster if you will.
PALATE
Oak, spice, caramel, toasted grain, Bananas Foster, citric acid and a bit of fruit and dried corn. That Bananas Foster character is where this whiskey derives its complexity. That single note carries with it a host of flavors that range from sweet to spicy and back again.
FINISH
Long fruit driven fade with bits of grain, spice, and oak.
BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
Well balanced, full body and a rich oily feel.
OVERALL
Old Ripy Bourbon is the other half of the initial Whiskey Barrons releases being put out by Campari and like the Bond & Lillard the release wasn’t overseen by the Russell’s. Though unlike the B&L it has more of that Wild Turkey character to it and was a really fun thing to A:B next to the most recent Rare Breed release since they have a similar construction. Though is it really worth $50 for a 375 ml?
In short, it’s hard for me to say yes it’s worth $50 to the everyday consumer. In long, I’m a Wild Turkey Fan Boy; I’m a Completist (when financially possible); I’m also a whiskey nerd who loves trying every possible iteration of his favorite bourbon distillery; I’m also someone who likes interesting whiskey – which this is. This is why I have my name down for a bottle when it arrives in Los Angeles. Expensive? Yes. Worth it? I’ll leave that for you to decide.
SCORE: 87/100 (B+)