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Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon vs Wild Turkey 81
Put Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon next to Wild Turkey 81 and you have a sourced, corn-forward blend set against a classic, corn-forward stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon | 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 | 100 proof (50% ABV) +19 proof | 81 proof (40.5% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$85 – $100 | ~$20 – $25 ~$70 less |
- Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon and Wild Turkey 81 do not publish an official mash bill.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
Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Wild Turkey 81
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon Wild Turkey 81
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 8/3 fruit: Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 8 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 3 out of 10
heat 5/2 heat: Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 5 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 2 out of 10
nuttiness 5/2 nuttiness: Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 5 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 2 out of 10
sweetness 8/6 sweetness: Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 8 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 6 out of 10
oak 6/4 oak: Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 6 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 4 out of 10
spice 5/4 spice: Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 5 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Fruit character is what sets these apart.
- Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon: Finished in Oloroso sherry, Pedro Ximenez sherry and Cognac casks. The casks layer dried fruit, orange and dark chocolate over the bourbon and leave a long, clove-spiced 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 Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon if you want a sherry-and-Cognac-finished bourbon full of dried fruit and dark chocolate 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.
Best enjoyed neat (Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon); highball, cocktails (Wild Turkey 81).