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Old Forester 100 Proof vs Wild Turkey 101
Comparing Old Forester 100 Proof and Wild Turkey 101 is a closer contest than it looks — both are high-rye bourbons, separated mainly by personal preference more than spec.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester 100 Proof | Wild Turkey 101 |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 101 proof (50.5% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$26 – $32 | ~$25 – $30 |
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Old Forester 100 Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Wild Turkey 101
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester 100 Proof Wild Turkey 101
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 6/8 spice: Old Forester 100 Proof 6 out of 10, Wild Turkey 101 8 out of 10
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: Old Forester 100 Proof 7 out of 10, Wild Turkey 101 6 out of 10
oak 6/7 oak: Old Forester 100 Proof 6 out of 10, Wild Turkey 101 7 out of 10
fruit 5/4 fruit: Old Forester 100 Proof 5 out of 10, Wild Turkey 101 4 out of 10
heat 5/6 heat: Old Forester 100 Proof 5 out of 10, Wild Turkey 101 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Old Forester 100 Proof 3 out of 10, Wild Turkey 101 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Rye spice is the dividing line here.
- Old Forester 100 Proof: The bottle most people should buy from this range: the same recipe as the 86 with enough proof to actually taste it. One of the strongest arguments on the shelf for spending six dollars more.
- 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 Old Forester 100 Proof if you want the best value in the Old Forester range and a superb old-fashioned base.
- Go with Wild Turkey 101 if you want bold rye spice and real proof at the lowest price of anything comparable.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Old Forester 100 Proof); neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Wild Turkey 101).