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Old Forester Statesman vs Wild Turkey 81
Put Old Forester Statesman 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 Statesman | 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 | 95 proof (47.5% ABV) +14 proof | 81 proof (40.5% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$50 – $55 | ~$20 – $25 ~$30 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 Statesman
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Wild Turkey 81
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester Statesman Wild Turkey 81
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 7/3 fruit: Old Forester Statesman 7 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 3 out of 10
sweetness 8/6 sweetness: Old Forester Statesman 8 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 6 out of 10
heat 4/2 heat: Old Forester Statesman 4 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 2 out of 10
spice 5/4 spice: Old Forester Statesman 5 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 4 out of 10
oak 5/4 oak: Old Forester Statesman 5 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 4 out of 10
nuttiness 2/2 nuttiness: Old Forester Statesman 2 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 2 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The fruit-versus-grain contrast drives this one.
- Old Forester Statesman: Old Forester's fruit-forward middle child, first made for a spy movie tie-in. Bright cherry and brown sugar lead, with cocoa and a touch of the house banana note.
- 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 Statesman if you want a bright, cherry-sweet Old Forester that sits between the 100 and 1920 in weight with more proof behind it.
- Go with Wild Turkey 81 if you want a lighter Wild Turkey built for mixing at a significantly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Old Forester Statesman); highball, cocktails (Wild Turkey 81).