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Jack Daniel’s 12 Year vs Wild Turkey 81
Put Jack Daniel’s 12 Year next to Wild Turkey 81 and you have a classic, corn-forward stalwart set against a classic, corn-forward stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Jack Daniel’s 12 Year | Wild Turkey 81 |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Tennessee Whiskey | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 80% corn, 8% rye, 12% malted barley | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | 12 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 107 proof (53.5% ABV) +26 proof | 81 proof (40.5% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$80 – $120 | ~$20 – $25 ~$78 less |
| Availability | Limited | Widely available easier to find |
- Wild Turkey 81 does 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
Jack Daniel’s 12 Year
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Wild Turkey 81
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Jack Daniel’s 12 Year Wild Turkey 81
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 8/4 oak: Jack Daniel’s 12 Year 8 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 4 out of 10
heat 6/2 heat: Jack Daniel’s 12 Year 6 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 2 out of 10
fruit 6/3 fruit: Jack Daniel’s 12 Year 6 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 3 out of 10
sweetness 8/6 sweetness: Jack Daniel’s 12 Year 8 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 6 out of 10
nuttiness 4/2 nuttiness: Jack Daniel’s 12 Year 4 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 2 out of 10
spice 5/4 spice: Jack Daniel’s 12 Year 5 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Barrel influence is the main separator.
- Jack Daniel’s 12 Year: Twelve-year Jack Daniel's at 107 proof. Sweet and creamy, with butterscotch, pipe tobacco and seasoned oak.
- 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 Jack Daniel’s 12 Year if you want a sweet, creamy, well-aged Jack Daniel's with pipe tobacco and oak 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, rocks (Jack Daniel’s 12 Year); highball, cocktails (Wild Turkey 81).