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E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel vs Wild Turkey 81
E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel and Wild Turkey 81 are cut from similar cloth: two takes on traditional bourbons, where the real difference is price (~$70 – $140 vs. ~$20 – $25).
Key Specifications
| Feature | E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel | 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 | 100 proof (50% ABV) +19 proof | 81 proof (40.5% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$70 – $140 | ~$20 – $25 ~$83 less |
| Availability | Allocated | Widely available easier to find |
- E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel and Wild Turkey 81 do not publish an official mash bill.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
E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Wild Turkey 81
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel Wild Turkey 81
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 8/4 oak: E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 8 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 4 out of 10
heat 5/2 heat: E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 5 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 2 out of 10
fruit 5/3 fruit: E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 5 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 3 out of 10
nuttiness 4/2 nuttiness: E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 4 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 2 out of 10
spice 5/4 spice: E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 5 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 4 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 6 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 6 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Oak is doing most of the differentiating here.
- E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel: Single barrels from the warehouse Colonel Taylor built, bonded at 100 proof. More oak and more concentration than the small batch, and one of the most sought-after regular releases Buffalo Trace makes.
- 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 E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel if you want the most concentrated bonded expression of the Buffalo Trace profile, and the hunt does not deter you 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 (E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel); highball, cocktails (Wild Turkey 81).