Compare
Stagg vs Wild Turkey 81
Stagg and Wild Turkey 81 sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an undiluted barrel-strength pour versus an old-guard, classically built classic.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Stagg | Wild Turkey 81 |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 130 proof (65% ABV) +49 proof | 81 proof (40.5% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$70 – $120 | ~$20 – $25 ~$73 less |
| Availability | Limited | Widely available easier to find |
- Stagg and Wild Turkey 81 do not publish an official mash bill.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
Stagg
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Wild Turkey 81
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Stagg Wild Turkey 81
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 10/2 heat: Stagg 10 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 2 out of 10
oak 9/4 oak: Stagg 9 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 4 out of 10
spice 7/4 spice: Stagg 7 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 4 out of 10
fruit 5/3 fruit: Stagg 5 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 3 out of 10
nuttiness 4/2 nuttiness: Stagg 4 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 2 out of 10
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: Stagg 7 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 6 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Proof and heat dominate the difference.
- Stagg: Uncut and unfiltered Buffalo Trace at a proof that demands respect. Dark chocolate, espresso and charred oak arrive with genuine heat, and a few drops of water unlock a surprising amount of fruit.
- 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 Stagg if you want the biggest, hottest, most concentrated expression of the Buffalo Trace profile 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 (Stagg); highball, cocktails (Wild Turkey 81).