Wild Turkey Longbranch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Wild Turkey Longbranch opens with vanilla and toffee in the brand’s tasting notes. Caramel and pear follow on the palate, with a little citrus keeping the sweeter flavors company. The finish is described as buttery and smooth, with gentle pepper, toasted oak and a subtle smoky sweetness. That profile makes it a bourbon to explore when you like caramel-rich flavors with a quiet smoky edge.

Pour a small measure neat first, then compare it with a second pour over a large cube. As the ice melts, follow the pear and citrus beside the caramel. A piece of toasted pecan shortbread is a pairing to test with the toffee and oak notes; keep the first bite plain so the whiskey’s flavors remain easy to follow.

How it’s made: Longbranch is a small-batch Kentucky straight bourbon refined with American oak and Texas mesquite charcoals. The stocked bottle is 86 proof, or 43% ABV.