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Barrell Foundation Bourbon vs Wild Turkey 101
On paper Barrell Foundation Bourbon and Wild Turkey 101 are near neighbours — both high-rye bourbons — so price (~$50 – $60 vs. ~$25 – $30) is what actually decides it.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Barrell Foundation Bourbon | Wild Turkey 101 |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 73% corn, 23% rye, 4% malted barley | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | 5 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 101 proof (50.5% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$50 – $60 | ~$25 – $30 ~$28 less |
- Barrell Foundation Bourbon 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
Barrell Foundation Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Wild Turkey 101
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Barrell Foundation Bourbon Wild Turkey 101
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 6/8 spice: Barrell Foundation Bourbon 6 out of 10, Wild Turkey 101 8 out of 10
oak 6/7 oak: Barrell Foundation Bourbon 6 out of 10, Wild Turkey 101 7 out of 10
fruit 5/4 fruit: Barrell Foundation Bourbon 5 out of 10, Wild Turkey 101 4 out of 10
heat 5/6 heat: Barrell Foundation Bourbon 5 out of 10, Wild Turkey 101 6 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Barrell Foundation Bourbon 6 out of 10, Wild Turkey 101 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Barrell Foundation Bourbon 3 out of 10, Wild Turkey 101 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Rye spice is the dividing line here.
- Barrell Foundation Bourbon: Barrell's everyday bottle: a multi-state blend proofed down to 100 instead of bottled at cask strength. Creamy cake and vanilla up front, then a dry, rye-driven peppery finish.
- Wild Turkey 101: The workhorse high-rye Kentucky bourbon and one of the best proof-to-price ratios anywhere. Vanilla and orange up front, then a genuinely spicy, peppery, tobacco-tinged middle that punches well above $25.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Barrell Foundation Bourbon if you want an approachable, 100-proof Barrell blend that still shows off multi-state blending with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
- Go with Wild Turkey 101 if you want bold rye spice and real proof at the lowest price of anything comparable.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Barrell Foundation Bourbon); neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Wild Turkey 101).