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Buffalo Trace vs Wild Turkey 81
On paper Buffalo Trace and Wild Turkey 81 are near neighbours — both traditional bourbons — so proof (90 vs. 81) is what actually decides it.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Buffalo Trace | Wild Turkey 81 |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) +9 proof | 81 proof (40.5% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$28 – $35 | ~$20 – $25 ~$9 less |
| Availability | Limited | Widely available easier to find |
- Buffalo Trace and Wild Turkey 81 do not publish an official mash bill.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
Buffalo Trace
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Wild Turkey 81
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Buffalo Trace Wild Turkey 81
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 6/4 oak: Buffalo Trace 6 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 4 out of 10
fruit 5/3 fruit: Buffalo Trace 5 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 3 out of 10
heat 4/2 heat: Buffalo Trace 4 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 2 out of 10
nuttiness 4/2 nuttiness: Buffalo Trace 4 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 2 out of 10
spice 5/4 spice: Buffalo Trace 5 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 4 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Buffalo Trace 6 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 6 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Oak is doing most of the differentiating here.
- Buffalo Trace: The reference-point Kentucky bourbon: balanced brown sugar and vanilla sweetness, a whisper of mint, and just enough oak and spice to keep it interesting. Nothing is loud, which is exactly the point at 90 proof.
- 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 Buffalo Trace if you want the balanced, everyday Kentucky benchmark that does nothing wrong at a fair price with slightly 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 and without hunting for it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Buffalo Trace); highball, cocktails (Wild Turkey 81).