Wild Turkey Revives "Cheesy Gold Foil" with 16-Year Archives Bourbon

LAWRENCEBURG, Ky. — Wild Turkey has officially announced the launch of the Austin Nichols Archives Collection, a highly anticipated, limited-edition annual series celebrating the distillery’s most iconic vintage “dusty” bottles.

The inaugural release in the lineup is the Gold Foil Edition, a 16-year-old, 120-proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon crafted to capture the profile of the cult-favorite 1980s and 1990s expressions affectionately nicknamed “Cheesy Gold Foil” by enthusiasts.

Following the conclusion of the Master’s Keep series, the Austin Nichols Archives represents a major generational milestone as the first dedicated series spearheaded entirely by Associate Master Blender Bruce Russell. Bruce conceived the line over a decade ago as a tribute to his grandfather, Master Distiller Jimmy Russell, aiming to recreate the robust depth and “mature oak funk” characteristic of Wild Turkey’s famous “Glut Era” stocks.

The Liquid Profile & Packaging

The 16-year-old, non-chill-filtered bourbon was drawn from barrels matured within Wild Turkey’s acclaimed Camp Nelson F, D, and E rickhouses. According to the distillery, fans can expect notes of classic Wild Turkey signature funk, dark fruit, mature oak, cherry cola, clove, and dark honey, ending with a long finish of pepper, brown sugar, and leather.

Paying direct homage to vintage aesthetics, the release is packaged in a custom canister featuring an autumnal hunting scene lined with gold foil. In a nod to the collector community, each annual release in the Archives series will feature a unique, hidden Easter egg.

Pricing & Availability

Wild Turkey Austin Nichols Archives Gold Foil Edition is bottled at 60% ABV (120 Proof) and will be available in highly limited quantities in select markets starting this May for a suggested retail price (SRP) of $400.

💬 Executive Quotes

“Austin Nichols Archives has been a labor of love, and I’m excited to finally share it with bourbon lovers everywhere,” said Associate Master Blender Bruce Russell. “Gold Foil Edition was the perfect bourbon to launch the collection. Inspired by a personal favorite of mine and of many Wild Turkey fans, I drew on everything I’ve learned from my father and grandfather to create a whiskey that honors the Wild Turkey legacy.”

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