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Jefferson's Ocean Aged at Sea vs Wild Turkey 81
Comparing Jefferson's Ocean Aged at Sea and Wild Turkey 81 is a closer contest than it looks — both are traditional bourbons, separated mainly by price (~$70 – $85 vs. ~$20 – $25).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Jefferson's Ocean Aged at Sea | 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 | 90 proof (45% ABV) +9 proof | 81 proof (40.5% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$70 – $85 | ~$20 – $25 ~$55 less |
- Jefferson's Ocean Aged at Sea and Wild Turkey 81 do not publish an official mash bill.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
Jefferson's Ocean Aged at Sea
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Wild Turkey 81
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Flavor Profile
Jefferson's Ocean Aged at Sea Wild Turkey 81
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 6/4 oak: Jefferson's Ocean Aged at Sea 6 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 4 out of 10
fruit 5/3 fruit: Jefferson's Ocean Aged at Sea 5 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 3 out of 10
heat 3/2 heat: Jefferson's Ocean Aged at Sea 3 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 2 out of 10
nuttiness 3/2 nuttiness: Jefferson's Ocean Aged at Sea 3 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 2 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Jefferson's Ocean Aged at Sea 6 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 6 out of 10
spice 4/4 spice: Jefferson's Ocean Aged at Sea 4 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Barrel influence is the main separator.
- Jefferson's Ocean Aged at Sea: Bourbon that spends months rocking in a ship's hold. Each voyage tastes a little different, but expect caramel and dark sugar with a savory, faintly salty edge from the trip.
- 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 Ocean Aged at Sea if you want a conversation-piece bourbon with a savory, slightly briny twist from aging at sea with slightly 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.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Jefferson's Ocean Aged at Sea); highball, cocktails (Wild Turkey 81).