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Wild Turkey 101 vs Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel
Comparing Wild Turkey 101 and Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel reveals a matchup between a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple and a traditional, even-keeled Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Wild Turkey 101 | Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 101 proof (50.5% ABV) +7 proof | 94 proof (47% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$25 – $30 ~$43 less | ~$60 – $80 |
| 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 Toasted Barrel
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Wild Turkey 101 Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 8/5 spice: Wild Turkey 101 8 out of 10, Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 5 out of 10
sweetness 6/8 sweetness: Wild Turkey 101 6 out of 10, Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 8 out of 10
oak 7/9 oak: Wild Turkey 101 7 out of 10, Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 9 out of 10
heat 6/4 heat: Wild Turkey 101 6 out of 10, Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 4 out of 10
nuttiness 3/5 nuttiness: Wild Turkey 101 3 out of 10, Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 5 out of 10
fruit 4/4 fruit: Wild Turkey 101 4 out of 10, Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Rye spice is the dividing line here.
- 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 Toasted Barrel: Finished in a second toasted (not charred) barrel, which produces an unmistakable toasted-marshmallow note. Sweet and heavily wooded, and one of the more distinctive finishes any major producer makes.
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 Toasted Barrel if you want a distinctive toasted-oak, marshmallow-sweet finish you will not find in a standard bourbon.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Wild Turkey 101); neat, rocks (Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel).