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Wild Turkey 81 vs Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat
Wild Turkey 81 and Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an old-guard, classically built classic versus a new-wave, wheat-forward craft style.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Wild Turkey 81 | Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley | 53% corn, 39% wheat, 8% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 6 years |
| Proof | 81 proof (40.5% ABV) | 106 proof (53% ABV) +25 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$20 – $25 ~$30 less | ~$50 – $55 |
- Wild Turkey 81 does 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.
Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Wild Turkey 81 Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 3/8 fruit: Wild Turkey 81 3 out of 10, Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat 8 out of 10
heat 2/5 heat: Wild Turkey 81 2 out of 10, Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat 5 out of 10
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: Wild Turkey 81 6 out of 10, Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat 7 out of 10
spice 4/3 spice: Wild Turkey 81 4 out of 10, Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat 3 out of 10
oak 4/5 oak: Wild Turkey 81 4 out of 10, Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat 5 out of 10
nuttiness 2/2 nuttiness: Wild Turkey 81 2 out of 10, Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat 2 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Fruit character is what sets these apart.
- 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.
- Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat: Because wheat makes up a massive 39% of the mash bill, this pour trades the aggressive spice of rye for a softer, oily mouthfeel. Expect bright fruit notes like ripe apricot and lemon on the nose, transitioning to pastry dough, light oak, and a creamy creme brulee sweetness balanced by a mild peppery backbone.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Wild Turkey 81 if you want a lighter Wild Turkey built for mixing at a significantly lower price point.
- Go with Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat if you want a softer, fruit-forward, contemporary profile with a richer, oily texture and lower emphasis on traditional oak with significantly more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed highball, cocktails (Wild Turkey 81); neat, rocks (Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat).