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Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve vs Wild Turkey 101
Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve and Wild Turkey 101 are cut from similar cloth: two takes on high-rye bourbons, where the real difference is proof (120 vs. 101).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve | Wild Turkey 101 |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | 9 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 120 proof (60% ABV) +19 proof | 101 proof (50.5% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$45 – $55 | ~$25 – $30 ~$23 less |
- Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve does 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
Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Wild Turkey 101
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve Wild Turkey 101
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
nuttiness 7/3 nuttiness: Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 7 out of 10, Wild Turkey 101 3 out of 10
heat 8/6 heat: Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 8 out of 10, Wild Turkey 101 6 out of 10
spice 7/8 spice: Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 7 out of 10, Wild Turkey 101 8 out of 10
oak 8/7 oak: Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 8 out of 10, Wild Turkey 101 7 out of 10
fruit 3/4 fruit: Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 3 out of 10, Wild Turkey 101 4 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 6 out of 10, Wild Turkey 101 6 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The house grain character is what splits these.
- Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve: The same nine-year Knob Creek juice bottled from a single barrel at 120 proof, and the extra strength suits it. Everything the standard bottling does, turned up — with the barrel-to-barrel variation that comes with the format.
- Wild Turkey 101: The workhorse high-rye Kentucky bourbon and one of the best proof-to-price ratios anywhere. Vanilla and orange up front, then a genuinely spicy, peppery, tobacco-tinged middle that punches well above $25.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve if you want the Beam profile at serious proof for well under what most barrel-strength bourbons cost.
- Go with Wild Turkey 101 if you want bold rye spice and real proof at the lowest price of anything comparable.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve); neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Wild Turkey 101).