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Copper & Kings Butchertown Bourbon vs Wild Turkey 81
Copper & Kings Butchertown Bourbon and Wild Turkey 81 sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: a sourced, classically built blend versus an old-guard, classically built classic.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Copper & Kings Butchertown Bourbon | Wild Turkey 81 |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 111 proof (55.5% ABV) +30 proof | 81 proof (40.5% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$40 – $70 | ~$20 – $25 ~$33 less |
| Availability | Limited | Widely available easier to find |
- Copper & Kings Butchertown Bourbon and Wild Turkey 81 do not publish an official mash bill.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
Copper & Kings Butchertown Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Wild Turkey 81
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Copper & Kings Butchertown Bourbon Wild Turkey 81
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 8/3 fruit: Copper & Kings Butchertown Bourbon 8 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 3 out of 10
heat 6/2 heat: Copper & Kings Butchertown Bourbon 6 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 2 out of 10
spice 6/4 spice: Copper & Kings Butchertown Bourbon 6 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 4 out of 10
oak 6/4 oak: Copper & Kings Butchertown Bourbon 6 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 4 out of 10
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: Copper & Kings Butchertown Bourbon 7 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/2 nuttiness: Copper & Kings Butchertown Bourbon 3 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 2 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Fruit character is what sets these apart.
- Copper & Kings Butchertown Bourbon: Kentucky bourbon finished in the Louisville brandy maker's apple brandy barrels. The finish reads like caramel apple pie: baked apple and cinnamon over a sturdy oak base.
- 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 Copper & Kings Butchertown Bourbon if you want an apple-brandy-finished bourbon that tastes like caramel apple pie 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 and without hunting for it.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Copper & Kings Butchertown Bourbon); highball, cocktails (Wild Turkey 81).