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Russell’s Reserve 10 Year vs Wild Turkey 81
Put Russell’s Reserve 10 Year next to Wild Turkey 81 and you have a classic, high-rye stalwart set against a classic, corn-forward stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Russell’s Reserve 10 Year | Wild Turkey 81 |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | 10 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) +9 proof | 81 proof (40.5% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$40 – $50 | ~$20 – $25 ~$23 less |
- 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
Russell’s Reserve 10 Year
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Wild Turkey 81
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Russell’s Reserve 10 Year Wild Turkey 81
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 8/4 oak: Russell’s Reserve 10 Year 8 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 4 out of 10
spice 6/4 spice: Russell’s Reserve 10 Year 6 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 4 out of 10
heat 4/2 heat: Russell’s Reserve 10 Year 4 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 2 out of 10
fruit 4/3 fruit: Russell’s Reserve 10 Year 4 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 3 out of 10
nuttiness 3/2 nuttiness: Russell’s Reserve 10 Year 3 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 2 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Russell’s Reserve 10 Year 6 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 6 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Barrel influence is the main separator.
- Russell’s Reserve 10 Year: Ten years of Wild Turkey at a restrained 90 proof, which trades the 101's punch for polish. More oak and more composure, and one of the better age-stated bottles at its price.
- 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 Russell’s Reserve 10 Year if you want an age-stated, oak-forward Wild Turkey with the volume turned down with slightly 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, rocks (Russell’s Reserve 10 Year); highball, cocktails (Wild Turkey 81).