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Blanton’s Single Barrel vs Wild Turkey 81
Comparing Blanton’s Single Barrel and Wild Turkey 81 reveals a matchup between a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple and a traditional, even-keeled Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Blanton’s Single Barrel | Wild Turkey 81 |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 15% rye, 10% malted barley | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 93 proof (46.5% ABV) +12 proof | 81 proof (40.5% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$80 – $150 | ~$20 – $25 ~$93 less |
| Availability | Allocated | Widely available easier to find |
- Blanton’s Single Barrel and Wild Turkey 81 do not publish an official mash bill.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
Blanton’s Single Barrel
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Wild Turkey 81
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Blanton’s Single Barrel Wild Turkey 81
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 6/3 fruit: Blanton’s Single Barrel 6 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 3 out of 10
spice 6/4 spice: Blanton’s Single Barrel 6 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 4 out of 10
oak 6/4 oak: Blanton’s Single Barrel 6 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 4 out of 10
heat 4/2 heat: Blanton’s Single Barrel 4 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 2 out of 10
nuttiness 3/2 nuttiness: Blanton’s Single Barrel 3 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 2 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Blanton’s Single Barrel 6 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 6 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The fruit-versus-grain contrast drives this one.
- Blanton’s Single Barrel: The bottle that invented the single-barrel category and still trades largely on its horse-stopper cork and its scarcity. The whiskey itself is genuinely good — honeyed and citrus-led with nutmeg spice — but at secondary prices you are paying for the bottle as much as the pour.
- 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 Blanton’s Single Barrel if you want the original single-barrel presentation and a honeyed, citrus-led profile, and the hunt is part of the appeal with 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 and without hunting for it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Blanton’s Single Barrel); highball, cocktails (Wild Turkey 81).