Compare
Wild Turkey 101 vs Uncle Nearest 1856
Comparing Wild Turkey 101 and Uncle Nearest 1856 reveals a matchup between a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple and a blender-built, even-keeled bottling.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Wild Turkey 101 | Uncle Nearest 1856 |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Tennessee Whiskey |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 101 proof (50.5% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$25 – $30 ~$35 less | ~$55 – $70 |
- Uncle Nearest 1856 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.
Uncle Nearest 1856
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Wild Turkey 101 Uncle Nearest 1856
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 8/5 spice: Wild Turkey 101 8 out of 10, Uncle Nearest 1856 5 out of 10
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: Wild Turkey 101 6 out of 10, Uncle Nearest 1856 7 out of 10
fruit 4/5 fruit: Wild Turkey 101 4 out of 10, Uncle Nearest 1856 5 out of 10
heat 6/5 heat: Wild Turkey 101 6 out of 10, Uncle Nearest 1856 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: Wild Turkey 101 3 out of 10, Uncle Nearest 1856 4 out of 10
oak 7/7 oak: Wild Turkey 101 7 out of 10, Uncle Nearest 1856 7 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.
- Uncle Nearest 1856: Named for Nathan 'Nearest' Green, the enslaved distiller who taught Jack Daniel, and now backed by the brand's own distillery in Shelbyville. Sweet and maple-leaning with the charcoal-mellowed softness of the style.
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 Uncle Nearest 1856 if you want a sweet, maple-forward Tennessee whiskey with a story worth knowing behind it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Wild Turkey 101); neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Uncle Nearest 1856).