It Was a Mistake. A Mix-Up. And It Made History.

💥 Opening Pour

They called it a mistake.
A distillery mix-up, an intern’s oops, a blend that wasn’t supposed to happen.
But what spilled into that holding tank ended up changing bourbon history.

📖 The Story

Back in 2013, deep in the heart of Kentucky, a batch was supposed to be straight Wild Turkey bourbon—bold, smooth, no surprises. But someone pulled the wrong lever. Rye whiskey was added by accident. A lot of it.

Instead of throwing the whole thing out, Eddie Russell—yes, that Eddie Russell, master distiller and bourbon royalty—took a sip.

And then he took another.

What was in that tank?
A mash-up of bourbon and rye. Something spicy, sweet, and totally unexpected.

He didn’t call it a disaster.
He called it Forgiven.

And when they bottled it, the world forgave too—because it was damn good.

🥇 The Weekly Pour

Bottle: Wild Turkey Forgiven
Price: ~$500 (if you can still find it)
Proof: 91 (45.5% ABV)
Age: Blend of 6-year bourbon and 4-year rye

Nose: Vanilla bean, butterscotch, and toasted nuts
Palate: Cinnamon spice, maple syrup, and a hint of cherry
Finish: Soft fade of oak and rye spice—like a warm goodbye

✅ Balanced blend of bourbon sweetness + rye heat
✅ Limited release—only one batch ever made
✅ Created by mistake, saved by taste

🛒 Hard to find today—check secondary markets or collector groups.
🛒 Buy it now → $493.99 on Caskers

🍹The Art of Mixing

“The Peace Treaty” — A cocktail born from sweet mistakes and spicy diplomacy.

Ingredients

• 2 oz Wild Turkey Forgiven

• ½ oz Amaro Nonino

• ¼ oz honey syrup (1:1 honey + warm water)

• 2 dashes Angostura bitters

• 1 dash orange bitters

• Orange peel (garnish)

Instructions

• Stir all ingredients with ice for 20–30 seconds

• Strain into a chilled coupe or rocks glass

• Express orange peel over the top and drop it in

Tip: Amaro Nonino adds the magic—don’t skip it. But if you must, Montenegro or Averna will do in a pinch.

🍖 Flavor Pairing Picks

Pair it with:

🍗 Spicy dry-rubbed ribs — The rye spice cuts through the savory smoke
🍑 Grilled peaches with honey — Sweet meets heat in the best way
💨 Rocky Patel Vintage 1999 — Creamy and mellow to let the whiskey shine

🧠 Big Lesson of the Week

The best bottles—and the best moments—aren’t always the ones we plan for.
Sometimes, greatness starts with a mistake.

🥂 Final Toast

Here’s to the blends we didn’t expect, the mistakes we’re glad we made, and the pours that teach us to let go.

🥃 Repeatable Proverb

“Every great pour was once a bold decision—or a beautiful mistake.”

✨ Step Inside The Lounge — Where Whiskey Stories Live

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Now Its Your Turn

What’s your favorite bottle that almost didn’t happen?
Tell us in the comments or reply to this email—we may feature your story next.

To good bottles, better company, and never skipping the story,

Ethan “Neat” Whitmore

P.S. This Friday: The Secret Behind the Barrel Fire That Saved a Distillery 🔥
You won’t believe what survived.