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Old Forester 100 Proof vs Wild Turkey 81
Put Old Forester 100 Proof next to Wild Turkey 81 and you have a classic, high-rye stalwart set against a classic, corn-forward stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester 100 Proof | Wild Turkey 81 |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 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) +19 proof | 81 proof (40.5% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$26 – $32 | ~$20 – $25 ~$7 less |
- Wild Turkey 81 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
Old Forester 100 Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Wild Turkey 81
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester 100 Proof Wild Turkey 81
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 5/2 heat: Old Forester 100 Proof 5 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 2 out of 10
spice 6/4 spice: Old Forester 100 Proof 6 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 4 out of 10
oak 6/4 oak: Old Forester 100 Proof 6 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 4 out of 10
fruit 5/3 fruit: Old Forester 100 Proof 5 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 3 out of 10
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: Old Forester 100 Proof 7 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/2 nuttiness: Old Forester 100 Proof 3 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 2 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Proof and heat dominate the difference.
- 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 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 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 81 if you want a lighter Wild Turkey built for mixing at a slightly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Old Forester 100 Proof); highball, cocktails (Wild Turkey 81).