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Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond 7 Year vs Wild Turkey 81
Comparing Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond 7 Year and Wild Turkey 81 is a closer contest than it looks — both are traditional bourbons, separated mainly by proof (100 vs. 81).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond 7 Year | 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 | 7 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) +19 proof | 81 proof (40.5% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$35 – $45 | ~$20 – $25 ~$18 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
Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond 7 Year
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Wild Turkey 81
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond 7 Year Wild Turkey 81
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 7/4 oak: Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond 7 Year 7 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 4 out of 10
heat 5/2 heat: Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond 7 Year 5 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 2 out of 10
nuttiness 5/2 nuttiness: Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond 7 Year 5 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 2 out of 10
spice 5/4 spice: Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond 7 Year 5 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 4 out of 10
fruit 4/3 fruit: Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond 7 Year 4 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 3 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond 7 Year 6 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 6 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Barrel influence is the main separator.
- Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond 7 Year: Seven years, bonded, and priced sensibly — the specification sheet reads like something from twenty years ago. Balanced and oak-leaning without ever getting heavy.
- 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 Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond 7 Year if you want a bonded, age-stated Kentucky bourbon that gets the fundamentals right for under forty dollars 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, rocks, old-fashioned (Heaven Hill Bottled-in-Bond 7 Year); highball, cocktails (Wild Turkey 81).