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Rowan's Creek vs Wild Turkey 81
Rowan's Creek and Wild Turkey 81 are cut from similar cloth: two takes on traditional bourbons, where the real difference is proof (100.1 vs. 81).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Rowan's Creek | Wild Turkey 81 |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 100.1 proof (50.0% ABV) +19 proof | 81 proof (40.5% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$40 – $50 | ~$20 – $25 ~$23 less |
- Rowan's Creek and Wild Turkey 81 do not publish an official mash bill.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
Rowan's Creek
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Wild Turkey 81
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Rowan's Creek Wild Turkey 81
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 7/4 spice: Rowan's Creek 7 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 4 out of 10
heat 5/2 heat: Rowan's Creek 5 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 2 out of 10
fruit 4/3 fruit: Rowan's Creek 4 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 3 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Rowan's Creek 6 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 6 out of 10
oak 4/4 oak: Rowan's Creek 4 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 4 out of 10
nuttiness 2/2 nuttiness: Rowan's Creek 2 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 2 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Rye spice is the dividing line here.
- Rowan's Creek: A small-batch Willett bottling that tastes rye-forward and herbal. Honey and caramel sit under mint, hay and warm spice, with a peppermint lift on the 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 Rowan's Creek if you want an herbal, minty, rye-forward Willett bottling 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.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned, cocktails (Rowan's Creek); highball, cocktails (Wild Turkey 81).