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Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel vs Wild Turkey 81
Comparing Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel and Wild Turkey 81 reveals a matchup between a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple and a traditional, even-keeled Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel | 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 | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 110 proof (55% ABV) +29 proof | 81 proof (40.5% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$55 – $70 | ~$20 – $25 ~$40 less |
| Availability | Limited | Widely available easier to find |
- 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 Single Barrel
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Wild Turkey 81
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel Wild Turkey 81
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 7/2 heat: Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 7 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 2 out of 10
spice 8/4 spice: Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 8 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 4 out of 10
oak 8/4 oak: Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 8 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 4 out of 10
fruit 4/3 fruit: Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 4 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 3 out of 10
nuttiness 3/2 nuttiness: Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 3 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 2 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 6 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 6 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Proof and heat dominate the difference.
- Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel: Non-chill-filtered single barrels at 110 proof, and the format that store picks have made a cult of. Concentrated Wild Turkey character with a texture the standard bottlings do not have.
- 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 Single Barrel if you want concentrated Wild Turkey character with single-barrel variation and real texture with significantly 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 and without hunting for it.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel); highball, cocktails (Wild Turkey 81).