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Old Forester 86 Proof vs Wild Turkey 81
Old Forester 86 Proof and Wild Turkey 81 sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an old-guard, rye-forward classic versus an old-guard, classically built classic.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester 86 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 | 86 proof (43% ABV) +5 proof | 81 proof (40.5% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$20 – $26 | ~$20 – $25 |
- 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 86 Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Wild Turkey 81
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester 86 Proof Wild Turkey 81
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 5/3 fruit: Old Forester 86 Proof 5 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 3 out of 10
spice 5/4 spice: Old Forester 86 Proof 5 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 4 out of 10
heat 3/2 heat: Old Forester 86 Proof 3 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 2 out of 10
nuttiness 3/2 nuttiness: Old Forester 86 Proof 3 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 2 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Old Forester 86 Proof 6 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 6 out of 10
oak 4/4 oak: Old Forester 86 Proof 4 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The fruit-versus-grain contrast drives this one.
- Old Forester 86 Proof: The entry bottling and the cheapest way to meet the Old Forester banana-and-caramel signature. Thin at 86 proof, but it costs very little and mixes well.
- 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 86 Proof if you want the Old Forester house character at the lowest possible price.
- Go with Wild Turkey 81 if you want a lighter Wild Turkey built for mixing.
Best enjoyed cocktails, highball, rocks (Old Forester 86 Proof); highball, cocktails (Wild Turkey 81).