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Wild Turkey 101 vs Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve
Wild Turkey 101 and Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve are cut from similar cloth: two takes on high-rye bourbons, where the real difference is proof (101 vs. 120).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Wild Turkey 101 | Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 9 years |
| Proof | 101 proof (50.5% ABV) | 120 proof (60% ABV) +19 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$25 – $30 ~$23 less | ~$45 – $55 |
- Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 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.
Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Wild Turkey 101 Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
nuttiness 3/7 nuttiness: Wild Turkey 101 3 out of 10, Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 7 out of 10
heat 6/8 heat: Wild Turkey 101 6 out of 10, Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 8 out of 10
spice 8/7 spice: Wild Turkey 101 8 out of 10, Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 7 out of 10
oak 7/8 oak: Wild Turkey 101 7 out of 10, Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 8 out of 10
fruit 4/3 fruit: Wild Turkey 101 4 out of 10, Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 3 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Wild Turkey 101 6 out of 10, Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 6 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The house grain character is what splits these.
- 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.
- Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve: The same nine-year Knob Creek juice bottled from a single barrel at 120 proof, and the extra strength suits it. Everything the standard bottling does, turned up — with the barrel-to-barrel variation that comes with the format.
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 Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve if you want the Beam profile at serious proof for well under what most barrel-strength bourbons cost.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Wild Turkey 101); neat, old-fashioned (Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve).