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Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond vs Wild Turkey 81
Comparing Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond and Wild Turkey 81 is a closer contest than it looks — both are traditional bourbons, separated mainly by proof (100 vs. 81).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond | Wild Turkey 81 |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | 4 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) +19 proof | 81 proof (40.5% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$16 – $22 | ~$20 – $25 |
- Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond and Wild Turkey 81 do not publish an official mash bill.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
Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Wild Turkey 81
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond Wild Turkey 81
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 5/2 heat: Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 2 out of 10
nuttiness 4/2 nuttiness: Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 2 out of 10
spice 5/4 spice: Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 4 out of 10
oak 5/4 oak: Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 4 out of 10
fruit 4/3 fruit: Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 3 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 6 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Proof and heat dominate the difference.
- Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond: A bonded 100-proof bourbon at a price that barely seems possible, though distribution is patchy outside Kentucky. Unremarkable in the best way: it does everything a bourbon should and nothing extra.
- 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 Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond if you want a bonded Kentucky bourbon for under twenty dollars, if you can find it in your state with more proof behind it.
- Go with Wild Turkey 81 if you want a lighter Wild Turkey built for mixing.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond); highball, cocktails (Wild Turkey 81).