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Wild Turkey 101 vs Old Forester 1870 Original Batch
Wild Turkey 101 and Old Forester 1870 Original Batch are cut from similar cloth: two takes on high-rye bourbons, where the real difference is price (~$25 – $30 vs. ~$45 – $55).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Wild Turkey 101 | Old Forester 1870 Original Batch |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 101 proof (50.5% ABV) +11 proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$25 – $30 ~$23 less | ~$45 – $55 |
- 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.
Old Forester 1870 Original Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Wild Turkey 101 Old Forester 1870 Original Batch
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 8/4 spice: Wild Turkey 101 8 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 4 out of 10
heat 6/3 heat: Wild Turkey 101 6 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 3 out of 10
oak 7/5 oak: Wild Turkey 101 7 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 5 out of 10
fruit 4/6 fruit: Wild Turkey 101 4 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 6 out of 10
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: Wild Turkey 101 6 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 7 out of 10
nuttiness 3/2 nuttiness: Wild Turkey 101 3 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 2 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.
- Old Forester 1870 Original Batch: The first bottle in Old Forester's Whiskey Row Series, recreating the founder's habit of blending barrels from three warehouses. It is the lightest of the series, caramel sweet and easy.
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 Old Forester 1870 Original Batch if you want the gentlest, most easygoing pour in the Whiskey Row Series.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Wild Turkey 101); neat, rocks, highball (Old Forester 1870 Original Batch).