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Wild Turkey 101 vs Elijah Craig Barrel Proof
Put Wild Turkey 101 next to Elijah Craig Barrel Proof and you have a classic, high-rye stalwart set against a full-proof, unfiltered heavyweight.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Wild Turkey 101 | Elijah Craig Barrel Proof |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 12 years |
| Proof | 101 proof (50.5% ABV) | 124 proof (62% ABV) +23 proof |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$25 – $30 ~$58 less | ~$70 – $100 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Limited |
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Wild Turkey 101
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Elijah Craig Barrel Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Wild Turkey 101 Elijah Craig Barrel Proof
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 6/9 heat: Wild Turkey 101 6 out of 10, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 9 out of 10
oak 7/9 oak: Wild Turkey 101 7 out of 10, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 9 out of 10
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: Wild Turkey 101 6 out of 10, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 7 out of 10
spice 8/7 spice: Wild Turkey 101 8 out of 10, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 7 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: Wild Turkey 101 3 out of 10, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 4 out of 10
fruit 4/4 fruit: Wild Turkey 101 4 out of 10, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land very differently on the palate for heat.
- 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.
- Elijah Craig Barrel Proof: The uncut, unfiltered version of the same 12-year Heaven Hill juice, and the intensity is the whole point. Thick fudge and char with cinnamon heat, a genuinely long finish, and enough proof that water meaningfully changes the glass.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Wild Turkey 101 if you want bold rye spice and real proof at the lowest price of anything comparable without hunting for it.
- Go with Elijah Craig Barrel Proof if you want maximum intensity and oak depth, and you want to control the dilution yourself with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Wild Turkey 101); neat (Elijah Craig Barrel Proof).