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Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat vs Wild Turkey 81
Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat and Wild Turkey 81 sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: a new-wave, wheat-forward craft style versus an old-guard, classically built classic.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat | Wild Turkey 81 |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 53% corn, 39% wheat, 8% malted barley | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | 6 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 106 proof (53% ABV) +25 proof | 81 proof (40.5% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$50 – $55 | ~$20 – $25 ~$30 less |
- Wild Turkey 81 does 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
Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Wild Turkey 81
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat Wild Turkey 81
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 8/3 fruit: Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat 8 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 3 out of 10
heat 5/2 heat: Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat 5 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 2 out of 10
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat 7 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 6 out of 10
spice 3/4 spice: Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat 3 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 4 out of 10
oak 5/4 oak: Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat 5 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 4 out of 10
nuttiness 2/2 nuttiness: Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat 2 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 2 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Fruit character is what sets these apart.
- Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat: Because wheat makes up a massive 39% of the mash bill, this pour trades the aggressive spice of rye for a softer, oily mouthfeel. Expect bright fruit notes like ripe apricot and lemon on the nose, transitioning to pastry dough, light oak, and a creamy creme brulee sweetness balanced by a mild peppery backbone.
- 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 Wheat if you want a softer, fruit-forward, contemporary profile with a richer, oily texture and lower emphasis on traditional oak with significantly more proof behind it.
- Go with Wild Turkey 81 if you want a lighter Wild Turkey built for mixing at a significantly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat); highball, cocktails (Wild Turkey 81).