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Jefferson’s Very Small Batch vs Wild Turkey 81
Comparing Jefferson’s Very Small Batch and Wild Turkey 81 is a closer contest than it looks — both are traditional bourbons, separated mainly by price (~$28 – $36 vs. ~$20 – $25).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Jefferson’s Very Small Batch | Wild Turkey 81 |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 82.3 proof (41.1% ABV) | 81 proof (40.5% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$28 – $36 | ~$20 – $25 ~$10 less |
- Jefferson’s Very Small Batch and Wild Turkey 81 do not publish an official mash bill.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
Jefferson’s Very Small Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Wild Turkey 81
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Jefferson’s Very Small Batch Wild Turkey 81
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 5/3 fruit: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 5 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 3 out of 10
nuttiness 3/2 nuttiness: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 3 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 2 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 6 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 6 out of 10
spice 4/4 spice: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 4 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 4 out of 10
oak 4/4 oak: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 4 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 4 out of 10
heat 2/2 heat: Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 2 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 2 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Fruit character is what sets these apart.
- Jefferson’s Very Small Batch: A blend of sourced barrels bottled at a very gentle 82.3 proof. Easy and inoffensive, but thin enough that it is hard to recommend over bonded bottles costing less.
- 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 Jefferson’s Very Small Batch if you want an especially soft, low-proof pour and gentleness matters more than intensity.
- Go with Wild Turkey 81 if you want a lighter Wild Turkey built for mixing at a slightly lower price point.
Best enjoyed rocks, cocktails, highball (Jefferson’s Very Small Batch); highball, cocktails (Wild Turkey 81).