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Wild Turkey 101 vs Horse Soldier Barrel Strength
Comparing Wild Turkey 101 and Horse Soldier Barrel Strength reveals a matchup between a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple and an uncut, wheated heavyweight.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Wild Turkey 101 | Horse Soldier Barrel Strength |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley | 70% corn, 20% wheat, 10% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 101 proof (50.5% ABV) | 111 proof (55.5% ABV) +10 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$25 – $30 ~$54 less | ~$78 – $85 |
- Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 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
Wild Turkey 101
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Horse Soldier Barrel Strength
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Flavor Profile
Wild Turkey 101 Horse Soldier Barrel Strength
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 8/5 spice: Wild Turkey 101 8 out of 10, Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 5 out of 10
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: Wild Turkey 101 6 out of 10, Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 7 out of 10
oak 7/6 oak: Wild Turkey 101 7 out of 10, Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 6 out of 10
fruit 4/5 fruit: Wild Turkey 101 4 out of 10, Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 5 out of 10
heat 6/7 heat: Wild Turkey 101 6 out of 10, Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 7 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Wild Turkey 101 3 out of 10, Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The gap between these two is mostly about spice.
- 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.
- Horse Soldier Barrel Strength: A barrel-strength wheater from the veteran-founded Horse Soldier brand. Brown sugar and toasted oak lead, baking spice and heat follow, and a splash of water pulls out darker fruit.
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.
- Go with Horse Soldier Barrel Strength if you want a big, barrel-strength wheated bourbon with plenty of brown sugar and warmth with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Wild Turkey 101); neat, old-fashioned (Horse Soldier Barrel Strength).