Compare
Old Forester 1870 Original Batch vs Wild Turkey 81
Put Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 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 1870 Original Batch | 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 | 90 proof (45% ABV) +9 proof | 81 proof (40.5% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$45 – $55 | ~$20 – $25 ~$28 less |
- Wild Turkey 81 does 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
Old Forester 1870 Original Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Wild Turkey 81
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester 1870 Original Batch Wild Turkey 81
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 6/3 fruit: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 6 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 3 out of 10
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 7 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 6 out of 10
oak 5/4 oak: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 5 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 4 out of 10
heat 3/2 heat: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 3 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 2 out of 10
spice 4/4 spice: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 4 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 4 out of 10
nuttiness 2/2 nuttiness: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 2 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 2 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The fruit-versus-grain contrast drives this one.
- Old Forester 1870 Original Batch: The first bottle in Old Forester's Whiskey Row Series, recreating the founder's habit of blending barrels from three warehouses. It is the lightest of the series, caramel sweet and easy.
- 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 1870 Original Batch if you want the gentlest, most easygoing pour in the Whiskey Row Series with slightly more proof behind it.
- Go with Wild Turkey 81 if you want a lighter Wild Turkey built for mixing at a lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, highball (Old Forester 1870 Original Batch); highball, cocktails (Wild Turkey 81).