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Bulleit Bourbon vs Wild Turkey 81
Comparing Bulleit Bourbon and Wild Turkey 81 reveals a matchup between a blender-built, spice-driven bottling and a traditional, even-keeled Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Bulleit Bourbon | Wild Turkey 81 |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 68% corn, 28% rye, 4% 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 | ~$25 – $32 | ~$20 – $25 ~$6 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
Bulleit Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Wild Turkey 81
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Bulleit Bourbon Wild Turkey 81
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 7/4 spice: Bulleit Bourbon 7 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 4 out of 10
fruit 5/3 fruit: Bulleit Bourbon 5 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 3 out of 10
heat 4/2 heat: Bulleit Bourbon 4 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 2 out of 10
sweetness 5/6 sweetness: Bulleit Bourbon 5 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 6 out of 10
oak 5/4 oak: Bulleit Bourbon 5 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 4 out of 10
nuttiness 3/2 nuttiness: Bulleit Bourbon 3 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 2 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Rye spice is the dividing line here.
- Bulleit Bourbon: The bottle that put high-rye bourbon in every cocktail bar in the country. Peppery and dry with the familiar MGP dill note, and it earns its place behind the bar more than in a glass on its own.
- 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 Bulleit Bourbon if you want a dry, peppery, high-rye bourbon built for cocktails and available absolutely everywhere 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.
Best enjoyed old-fashioned, cocktails, highball (Bulleit Bourbon); highball, cocktails (Wild Turkey 81).