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Wild Turkey 101 vs Old Forester 86 Proof
Comparing Wild Turkey 101 and Old Forester 86 Proof is a closer contest than it looks — both are high-rye bourbons, separated mainly by proof (101 vs. 86).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Wild Turkey 101 | Old Forester 86 Proof |
|---|---|---|
| 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) +15 proof | 86 proof (43% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$25 – $30 | ~$20 – $26 |
- 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 86 Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Wild Turkey 101 Old Forester 86 Proof
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 8/5 spice: Wild Turkey 101 8 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 5 out of 10
oak 7/4 oak: Wild Turkey 101 7 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 4 out of 10
heat 6/3 heat: Wild Turkey 101 6 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 3 out of 10
fruit 4/5 fruit: Wild Turkey 101 4 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 5 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Wild Turkey 101 6 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Wild Turkey 101 3 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 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.
- Old Forester 86 Proof: The entry bottling and the cheapest way to meet the Old Forester banana-and-caramel signature. Thin at 86 proof, but it costs very little and mixes well.
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 86 Proof if you want the Old Forester house character at the lowest possible price.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Wild Turkey 101); cocktails, highball, rocks (Old Forester 86 Proof).