Compare
Four Roses Single Barrel vs Wild Turkey 81
Comparing Four Roses Single Barrel and Wild Turkey 81 reveals a matchup between a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple and a traditional, even-keeled Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Four Roses Single Barrel | Wild Turkey 81 |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 60% corn, 35% rye, 5% 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 – $55 | ~$20 – $25 ~$28 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
Four Roses Single Barrel
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Wild Turkey 81
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Four Roses Single Barrel Wild Turkey 81
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 8/4 spice: Four Roses Single Barrel 8 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 4 out of 10
fruit 7/3 fruit: Four Roses Single Barrel 7 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 3 out of 10
heat 6/2 heat: Four Roses Single Barrel 6 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 2 out of 10
oak 6/4 oak: Four Roses Single Barrel 6 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 4 out of 10
nuttiness 3/2 nuttiness: Four Roses Single Barrel 3 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 2 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Four Roses Single Barrel 6 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 6 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Rye spice is the dividing line here.
- Four Roses Single Barrel: The OBSV recipe on its own at 100 proof — the highest-rye mash Four Roses uses, paired with their most floral yeast. Cherry and clove in equal measure, and a genuinely distinctive glass.
- 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 Four Roses Single Barrel if you want the most expressive, spice-and-fruit-forward single recipe in the Four Roses range with more proof behind it.
- Go with Wild Turkey 81 if you want a lighter Wild Turkey built for mixing at a lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Four Roses Single Barrel); highball, cocktails (Wild Turkey 81).