In 2016 Matthew McConaughey joined the Wild Turkey team as Creative Director and in 2018 Longbranch was released. It's a two step process, first using charcoal made from American white oak and then second, using charcoal made from Texas mesquite wood. The time-honoured process used to produce this whisky results in a spirit that is balanced, complex and exceptionally drinkable. This may affect factors including the product style and allergen information, and we would advise that you always check the label and not solely rely on the information presented here. This unique process results in an extraordinarily balanced and smooth sipping whiskey with subtle hints of smoky sweetness.

United by a shared curiosity and love of great whiskey, Eddie and Matthew wondered what would happen if a Kentucky Bourbon took a road trip to Texas. The company says it was inspired by McConaughey's Kentucky and Texas roots, this rare small-batch Kentucky bourbon is refined with Texas Mesquite and oak charcoals 'a unique method that deepens the flavor and complexity of the Whiskey.Starting off sweeping floors he learned his craft under the guiding eyes of Bill Hughes and Ernest W Ripy Jr, Wild Turkey's second Master Distiller. I figured another Chicago summer had passed and this holiday was a perfect time to check in on my experiment. Images represent the intended product however, bottle designs, artwork, packaging and current batch release or proof may be updated from the producer without notice. Palate Initially creamy vanilla, fading into buttery caramel, orchard fruits, a dash of lemon zest tempered by a drizzle of honey. Overly sweet, wood driven and spicy, bourbons definitely just never feel as complex as single malts or single pot stills (cue the Bourbon Pitchfork Brigade!

We also won’t wonder whether the concept of mellowing Wild Turkey bourbon through Texas Mesquite charcoal was his idea or not. The maturing process takes eight years, after which it is refined with Texas Mesquite and oak charcoal. Wild Turkey Longbranch is a rare, small-batch Kentucky Straight bourbon refined with Texas Mesquite and oak charcoals. Having not tasted the original, unaltered bottle of Longbranch, it’s hard for me to say whether the experiment was a success.Flavours of Caramel, Pear, and hints of Citrus round out the palate with a Subtle, Smokey Finish it is Buttery Smooth with notes of gentle Pepper and Toasted Oak.

The Wild Turkey LONGBRANCH Small Batch was created by Matthew McConaughey and Master Distiller Eddie Russell. The Longbranch would be a good starting point for those new to bourbon with the low-ish abv making it very approachable. Longbranch Bourbon was created in 2016 by Wild Turkey Master Distiller Eddie Russell and cultural tastemaker Matthew McConaughey.

This is also why I think we haven’t seen many variants of the Longbranch brand launch since this initial product showed up on the scene. Unfortunately, due to laws/regulations we cannot deliver spirit/liquor products to any PO Box addresses or in some cases to all states, countries, or providences. Longbranch is a collaboration of Wild Turkey creative director Matthew McConaughey and master distiller Eddie Russell. To produce this Whiskey they take 8 year aged Wild Turkey Bourbon and filter it using Charcoal made from Kentucky White Oak and Texas Mesquite.

Had I known about the celebrity connection I probably would not have purchased this bottle, given the gimmick status if so many other hollywood-connected liquors, and that would have been a tragedy. Lately, though, Wild Turkey has been trying to buck that reputation and compete with the (other) big names in bourbon by releasing special edition this and distiller’s own that, which initially struck me as a bit of a betrayal of the brand.

It's bourbon time here on CCWR, a whisky territory not often reviewed here and so I felt it was time to correct that. What if those two became best friends in a bottle – a small batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon, refined with American Oak and mesquite charcoals. It ticks all of the boxes while also having a little “extra” in the form of mesquite charcoal and derived mild smoke flavors. Some of the data that are collected include the number of visitors, their source, and the pages they visit anonymously. I couldn’t quite trust what I was tasting, especially after finishing a generous pour of that Master’s Keep.