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Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Rye Bottled-in-Bond vs Wild Turkey 81
Comparing Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Rye Bottled-in-Bond and Wild Turkey 81 reveals a matchup between a modern, spice-driven craft expression and a traditional, even-keeled Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Rye Bottled-in-Bond | Wild Turkey 81 |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 60% corn, 36% rye, 4% malted barley | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | 6 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) +19 proof | 81 proof (40.5% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$45 – $50 | ~$20 – $25 ~$25 less |
- Wild Turkey 81 does not publish an official mash bill.
- US shelf prices as of 2026-10; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Rye Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Wild Turkey 81
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Rye Bottled-in-Bond Wild Turkey 81
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 8/4 spice: Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Rye Bottled-in-Bond 8 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 4 out of 10
fruit 7/3 fruit: Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Rye Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 3 out of 10
heat 5/2 heat: Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Rye Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 2 out of 10
oak 5/4 oak: Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Rye Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 4 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Rye Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 6 out of 10
nuttiness 2/2 nuttiness: Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Rye Bottled-in-Bond 2 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 2 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The gap between these two is mostly about spice.
- Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Rye Bottled-in-Bond: Bardstown's own high-rye recipe, distilled on site rather than sourced. More than a third rye gives it a bright, minty, fruit-and-pepper profile over caramel and light oak.
- 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 Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Rye Bottled-in-Bond if you want a spicy, fruit-forward high-rye bourbon with the guarantees of a bonded label with more proof behind it.
- Go with Wild Turkey 81 if you want a lighter Wild Turkey built for mixing at a lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned, cocktails (Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Rye Bottled-in-Bond); highball, cocktails (Wild Turkey 81).