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George T. Stagg vs Wild Turkey 81
Put George T. Stagg next to Wild Turkey 81 and you have a full-proof, unfiltered heavyweight set against a classic, corn-forward stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | George T. Stagg | Wild Turkey 81 |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof | 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 | 142.8 proof (71.4% ABV) +62 proof | 81 proof (40.5% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$150 – $800 | ~$20 – $25 ~$453 less |
| Availability | Allocated | Widely available easier to find |
- George T. Stagg and Wild Turkey 81 do not publish an official mash bill.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
George T. Stagg
Very complex, with the taste profile moving across the entire palate.
Wild Turkey 81
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
George T. Stagg Wild Turkey 81
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 10/2 heat: George T. Stagg 10 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 2 out of 10
oak 9/4 oak: George T. Stagg 9 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 4 out of 10
fruit 6/3 fruit: George T. Stagg 6 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 3 out of 10
spice 6/4 spice: George T. Stagg 6 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 4 out of 10
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: George T. Stagg 7 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/2 nuttiness: George T. Stagg 3 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 2 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land very differently on the palate for heat.
- George T. Stagg: The Buffalo Trace Antique Collection's barrel-proof bourbon, around 15 years old. Root beer, dark caramel and charred oak at an enormous proof that changes each year.
- 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 George T. Stagg if you want the oldest, hottest, most concentrated Buffalo Trace bourbon you can find 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 (George T. Stagg); highball, cocktails (Wild Turkey 81).