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Wild Turkey 81 vs 1792 Small Batch
Wild Turkey 81 and 1792 Small Batch sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an old-guard, classically built classic versus an old-guard, rye-forward classic.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Wild Turkey 81 | 1792 Small Batch |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 81 proof (40.5% ABV) | 93.7 proof (46.9% ABV) +13 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$20 – $25 ~$8 less | ~$26 – $34 |
- Wild Turkey 81 and 1792 Small Batch do not publish an official mash bill.
- US shelf prices as of 2026-10; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Wild Turkey 81
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
1792 Small Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Wild Turkey 81 1792 Small Batch
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 4/7 spice: Wild Turkey 81 4 out of 10, 1792 Small Batch 7 out of 10
heat 2/5 heat: Wild Turkey 81 2 out of 10, 1792 Small Batch 5 out of 10
oak 4/6 oak: Wild Turkey 81 4 out of 10, 1792 Small Batch 6 out of 10
fruit 3/5 fruit: Wild Turkey 81 3 out of 10, 1792 Small Batch 5 out of 10
nuttiness 2/4 nuttiness: Wild Turkey 81 2 out of 10, 1792 Small Batch 4 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Wild Turkey 81 6 out of 10, 1792 Small Batch 6 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The gap between these two is mostly about spice.
- Wild Turkey 81: The same mash bill and No. 4 char as Wild Turkey 101, cut to 81 proof. Honey and toffee come through clearly, but the body and spice are much lighter.
- 1792 Small Batch: Barton's flagship and one of the most under-discussed bottles at its price. A high-rye character with cocoa and orange peel, and considerably more going on than the shelf position suggests.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Wild Turkey 81 if you want a lighter Wild Turkey built for mixing at a slightly lower price point.
- Go with 1792 Small Batch if you want an overlooked, spice-forward Kentucky bourbon that punches above its price with more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed highball, cocktails (Wild Turkey 81); neat, rocks, old-fashioned (1792 Small Batch).