Thanksgiving Day Practice Run

I wanted to do a practice turkey before Thanksgiving so I did me a #13.5 lb'er today. I soaked this guy in SmokinOkies Holiday brine for about 36 hours. I put a butter soaked cheesecloth over the bird for most of the cook, took it off with about 45 minutes to finish. Drizzled more butter once during the cook

This was my first smoked turkey and it turned out real good. I smoked this in the FEC100 @ 330* (first hour @ 170*). The meat was very moist and tender and the skin got a nice crisp on it. The only change I would make is to reduce or eliminate the garlic in the brine as it was a bit strong, so says the family. I'm definately ready for Thanksgiving thanks to Turkey 101!