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Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon vs Wild Turkey 81
Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon and Wild Turkey 81 sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: a sourced, wheat-forward blend versus an old-guard, classically built classic.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon | Wild Turkey 81 |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 72% corn, 18% wheat, 10% malted barley | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | 5 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) +19 proof | 81 proof (40.5% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$49 – $55 | ~$20 – $25 ~$30 less |
| Availability | Limited | Widely available easier to find |
- Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon and Wild Turkey 81 do not publish an official mash bill.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
Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Wild Turkey 81
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon Wild Turkey 81
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 5/2 heat: Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon 5 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 2 out of 10
nuttiness 5/2 nuttiness: Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon 5 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 2 out of 10
oak 6/4 oak: Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon 6 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 4 out of 10
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon 7 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 6 out of 10
spice 5/4 spice: Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon 5 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 4 out of 10
fruit 3/3 fruit: Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon 3 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Proof and heat dominate the difference.
- Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon: A Notre Dame-licensed wheater given a second, double-oaked barrel. Maple, honey butter and toasted nuts lead, with charred wood and pepper on a long, warm finish.
- 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 Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon if you want a double-oaked wheater with maple, toasted nuts and charred wood with more proof behind it.
- Go with Wild Turkey 81 if you want a lighter Wild Turkey built for mixing at a lower price point and without hunting for it.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Play Like a Champion Today Double Oaked Wheated Bourbon); highball, cocktails (Wild Turkey 81).