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Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel vs Wild Turkey 81
Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel and Wild Turkey 81 are cut from similar cloth: two takes on traditional bourbons, where the real difference is proof (100 vs. 81).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Henry McKenna 10 Year 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 | 10 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) +19 proof | 81 proof (40.5% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$40 – $70 | ~$20 – $25 ~$33 less |
| Availability | Limited | Widely available easier to find |
- 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
Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Wild Turkey 81
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel Wild Turkey 81
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 8/4 oak: Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel 8 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 4 out of 10
heat 5/2 heat: Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel 5 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 2 out of 10
nuttiness 5/2 nuttiness: Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel 5 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 2 out of 10
spice 5/4 spice: Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel 5 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 4 out of 10
fruit 4/3 fruit: Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel 4 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 3 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel 6 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 6 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Barrel influence is the main separator.
- Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel: A ten-year bonded single barrel, which is a specification almost nothing else on the shelf matches. Dry and oak-forward with real age showing, though barrel variation means bottles differ more than most.
- 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 Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel if you want a bonded, ten-year single barrel with genuine age at a sane price 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, rocks (Henry McKenna 10 Year Single Barrel); highball, cocktails (Wild Turkey 81).