Compare
Penelope Toasted Series vs Wild Turkey 81
Put Penelope Toasted Series next to Wild Turkey 81 and you have a blender-built, high-rye bottling set against a classic, corn-forward stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Penelope Toasted Series | Wild Turkey 81 |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% 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 | ~$55 – $70 | ~$20 – $25 ~$40 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
Penelope Toasted Series
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Wild Turkey 81
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Penelope Toasted Series Wild Turkey 81
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 7/4 oak: Penelope Toasted Series 7 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 4 out of 10
heat 5/2 heat: Penelope Toasted Series 5 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 2 out of 10
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: Penelope Toasted Series 7 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 6 out of 10
spice 5/4 spice: Penelope Toasted Series 5 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 4 out of 10
fruit 4/3 fruit: Penelope Toasted Series 4 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 3 out of 10
nuttiness 3/2 nuttiness: Penelope Toasted Series 3 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 2 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Oak is doing most of the differentiating here.
- Penelope Toasted Series: Finished in a second, freshly toasted barrel, which pushes it toward toffee, roasted coffee and darker oak. The toast level changes from batch to batch.
- 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 Penelope Toasted Series if you want a toasty, coffee-and-toffee bourbon from a second-barrel finish with more proof behind it and with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
- Go with Wild Turkey 81 if you want a lighter Wild Turkey built for mixing at a significantly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Penelope Toasted Series); highball, cocktails (Wild Turkey 81).