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Uncle Nearest 1856 vs Wild Turkey 101
Comparing Uncle Nearest 1856 and Wild Turkey 101 reveals a matchup between a sourced, even-keeled blend and a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Uncle Nearest 1856 | Wild Turkey 101 |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Tennessee Whiskey | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 101 proof (50.5% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$55 – $70 | ~$25 – $30 ~$35 less |
- Uncle Nearest 1856 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
Uncle Nearest 1856
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Wild Turkey 101
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Uncle Nearest 1856 Wild Turkey 101
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 5/8 spice: Uncle Nearest 1856 5 out of 10, Wild Turkey 101 8 out of 10
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: Uncle Nearest 1856 7 out of 10, Wild Turkey 101 6 out of 10
fruit 5/4 fruit: Uncle Nearest 1856 5 out of 10, Wild Turkey 101 4 out of 10
heat 5/6 heat: Uncle Nearest 1856 5 out of 10, Wild Turkey 101 6 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Uncle Nearest 1856 4 out of 10, Wild Turkey 101 3 out of 10
oak 7/7 oak: Uncle Nearest 1856 7 out of 10, Wild Turkey 101 7 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The gap between these two is mostly about spice.
- Uncle Nearest 1856: Named for Nathan 'Nearest' Green, the enslaved distiller who taught Jack Daniel, and now backed by the brand's own distillery in Shelbyville. Sweet and maple-leaning with the charcoal-mellowed softness of the style.
- Wild Turkey 101: The workhorse high-rye Kentucky bourbon and one of the best proof-to-price ratios anywhere. Vanilla and orange up front, then a genuinely spicy, peppery, tobacco-tinged middle that punches well above $25.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Uncle Nearest 1856 if you want a sweet, maple-forward Tennessee whiskey with a story worth knowing behind it.
- Go with Wild Turkey 101 if you want bold rye spice and real proof at the lowest price of anything comparable.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Uncle Nearest 1856); neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Wild Turkey 101).