Wild Turkey is unveiling Austin Nichols Archives, a collectible series designed in partnership with Pearlfisher. Rooted in the mythology of rare and sought-after vintage Wild Turkey bottles called “The Dusties,” Austin Nichols Archives is the first series of the Kentucky Bourbon to be solely led by Associate Master Blender Bruce Russell, who conceived of the initiative more than a decade ago to honor his grandfather, Jimmy Russell, and to reimagine classic bottlings through a modern lens.
The first release, Gold Foil Edition, pays homage to whiskeys that emerged during the so-called “Glut Era,” a period when whiskey fell out of favor and inventories swelled. During that time, Jimmy often blended older barrels into standard bottlings, creating bourbons with “depth, intensity, and a distinctive ‘mature oak funk’.” To recreate this profile, Gold Foil Edition has been crafted with a longer aging process and higher proof.
Throwback packaging by Pearlfisher is inspired by vintage advertising and Wild Turkey’s origin story, the heavy duty canister is equipped with a swing door that opens to reveal the Bourbon inside while the exterior features an autumnal hunting scene that nods to how the brand got its name. Inside, gold foil lining and a label reminiscent of the original vintage complete the tribute.
Among the elements: the turkey on the cover is illustrated mid-flight and facing downward exactly replicating the orientation used on the original bottles and the cabin is an historically accurate depiction of the Station Master’s House on the distillery grounds. In a playful touch, each release in the series will include different hidden Easter eggs, beginning with the Gold Foil Edition, turning the packaging into something of a scavenger hunt for Bourbon and brand enthusiasts.
