Wild Turkey has launched a new premium series called the Austin Nichols Archives Collection, beginning with Wild Turkey Gold Foil Edition, a modern revival inspired by the brand’s rare mid-1980s “Cheesy Gold Foil” bourbon. The original bottle, first released in 1985, became one of the most coveted Wild Turkey expressions thanks to its distinctive gilded packaging and its blend of Kentucky straight bourbons. The new release aims to honor that legacy while capturing the flavor profile and character that made vintage Wild Turkey bottles so prized among collectors.
The first release in the series is a 16-year-old Kentucky straight bourbon blended by Associate Master Blender Bruce Russell. Bottled at 120 proof and non-chill filtered, the whiskey is designed to evoke the rich, “dusty Turkey funk” associated with older Wild Turkey bottlings. The shift from the original 12-year concept to a 16-year bourbon reflects the goal of preserving the spirit of the classic rather than recreating it exactly. According to the brand, the Austin Nichols Archives Collection will focus on matching the complexity, allure, and depth of iconic past releases rather than simply reproducing them.
The tasting notes describe a whiskey with pronounced aromas of kola nuts, cloves, brown sugar, date syrup, and smoked honey, followed by leather, cinnamon bark, vanilla, and pie crust. On the palate, the bourbon is said to open with a syrupy texture and flavors of earthy kola nuts, brown sugar, black cherries, and honey, joined by notes of damp tobacco, worn leather, peppercorn, and clove. The finish is described as long, silky, and lightly sweet, with honey, vanilla, cherries, and cream soda.
The review positions Gold Foil Edition as a standout release and a strong contender for one of the best bourbons of 2026. It notes that the whiskey not only recreates the dusty, funky qualities collectors associate with vintage Wild Turkey, but also adds extra intensity through its higher proof. The release is being framed as both a tribute to Wild Turkey’s history and a statement of what the brand can do with carefully aged whiskey and modern blending expertise.
For Wild Turkey fans and bourbon collectors, Gold Foil Edition appears intended as a high-end, limited-style release with strong nostalgia value and serious flavor depth. It marks the start of what could become an important annual lineup for the brand, drawing on historic expressions from the Austin Nichols era while celebrating the work of the Russell family and their long association with Wild Turkey.
