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1792 Small Batch vs Wild Turkey 81
1792 Small Batch and Wild Turkey 81 sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an old-guard, rye-forward classic versus an old-guard, classically built classic.
Key Specifications
| Feature | 1792 Small Batch | Wild Turkey 81 |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 93.7 proof (46.9% ABV) +13 proof | 81 proof (40.5% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$26 – $34 | ~$20 – $25 ~$8 less |
- 1792 Small Batch and Wild Turkey 81 do not publish an official mash bill.
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
1792 Small Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Wild Turkey 81
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
1792 Small Batch Wild Turkey 81
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 7/4 spice: 1792 Small Batch 7 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 4 out of 10
heat 5/2 heat: 1792 Small Batch 5 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 2 out of 10
oak 6/4 oak: 1792 Small Batch 6 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 4 out of 10
fruit 5/3 fruit: 1792 Small Batch 5 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 3 out of 10
nuttiness 4/2 nuttiness: 1792 Small Batch 4 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 2 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: 1792 Small Batch 6 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 6 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The gap between these two is mostly about spice.
- 1792 Small Batch: Barton's flagship and one of the most under-discussed bottles at its price. A high-rye character with cocoa and orange peel, and considerably more going on than the shelf position suggests.
- Wild Turkey 81: The same mash bill and No. 4 char as Wild Turkey 101, cut to 81 proof. Honey and toffee come through clearly, but the body and spice are much lighter.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with 1792 Small Batch if you want an overlooked, spice-forward Kentucky bourbon that punches above its price with more proof behind it.
- Go with Wild Turkey 81 if you want a lighter Wild Turkey built for mixing at a slightly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned (1792 Small Batch); highball, cocktails (Wild Turkey 81).