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E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch vs Wild Turkey 81
On paper E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch and Wild Turkey 81 are near neighbours — both traditional bourbons — so price (~$45 – $90 vs. ~$20 – $25) is what actually decides it.
Key Specifications
| Feature | E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch | 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 | ~$45 – $90 | ~$20 – $25 ~$45 less |
| Availability | Allocated | Widely available easier to find |
- E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch and Wild Turkey 81 do not publish an official mash bill.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. Small Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Wild Turkey 81
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch Wild Turkey 81
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 7/4 oak: E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 7 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 4 out of 10
heat 5/2 heat: E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 5 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 2 out of 10
fruit 5/3 fruit: E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 5 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 3 out of 10
nuttiness 4/2 nuttiness: E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 4 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 2 out of 10
spice 5/4 spice: E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 5 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 4 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch 6 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 6 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Barrel influence is the main separator.
- E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch: Bottled-in-bond from the same low-rye Buffalo Trace recipe, and the extra 10 proof over standard BT gives it noticeably more grip. Butterscotch and tobacco with a long, drying finish that outlasts most bottles near its shelf price.
- 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. Small Batch if you want the Buffalo Trace house profile with real structure and a bonded 100-proof backbone.
- 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, old-fashioned (E.H. Taylor Jr. Small Batch); highball, cocktails (Wild Turkey 81).