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Johnny Drum Private Stock vs Wild Turkey 81
Johnny Drum Private Stock and Wild Turkey 81 sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an old-guard, classically built classic versus an old-guard, classically built classic.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Johnny Drum Private Stock | 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 | 101 proof (50.5% ABV) +20 proof | 81 proof (40.5% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$35 – $45 | ~$20 – $25 ~$18 less |
- Johnny Drum Private Stock and Wild Turkey 81 do not publish an official mash bill.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
Johnny Drum Private Stock
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Wild Turkey 81
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Johnny Drum Private Stock Wild Turkey 81
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 6/3 fruit: Johnny Drum Private Stock 6 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 3 out of 10
heat 5/2 heat: Johnny Drum Private Stock 5 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 2 out of 10
spice 6/4 spice: Johnny Drum Private Stock 6 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 4 out of 10
nuttiness 4/2 nuttiness: Johnny Drum Private Stock 4 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 2 out of 10
oak 5/4 oak: Johnny Drum Private Stock 5 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 4 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Johnny Drum Private Stock 6 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 6 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Fruit character is what sets these apart.
- Johnny Drum Private Stock: An old-school Willett label at 101 proof. Oily and dessert-like, with baked apple, almond and custard, and rye-like mint and spice on the finish.
- 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 Johnny Drum Private Stock if you want an oily, dessert-like 101-proof pour with old-school Willett character.
- 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 (Johnny Drum Private Stock); highball, cocktails (Wild Turkey 81).