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Wild Turkey 101 vs Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel
Wild Turkey 101 and Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel are cut from similar cloth: two takes on high-rye bourbons, where the real difference is price (~$25 – $30 vs. ~$55 – $70).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Wild Turkey 101 | Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 101 proof (50.5% ABV) | 110 proof (55% ABV) +9 proof |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$25 – $30 ~$35 less | ~$55 – $70 |
| 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.
Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Wild Turkey 101 Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 7/8 oak: Wild Turkey 101 7 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 8 out of 10
heat 6/7 heat: Wild Turkey 101 6 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 7 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Wild Turkey 101 6 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 6 out of 10
spice 8/8 spice: Wild Turkey 101 8 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 8 out of 10
fruit 4/4 fruit: Wild Turkey 101 4 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 4 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Wild Turkey 101 3 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land close together on every flavor axis — the differences are in texture and proof more than character.
- 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.
- Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel: Non-chill-filtered single barrels at 110 proof, and the format that store picks have made a cult of. Concentrated Wild Turkey character with a texture the standard bottlings do not have.
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 Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel if you want concentrated Wild Turkey character with single-barrel variation and real texture with slightly more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Wild Turkey 101); neat, old-fashioned (Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel).