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Wild Turkey 81 vs Buffalo Trace
On paper Wild Turkey 81 and Buffalo Trace are near neighbours — both traditional bourbons — so proof (81 vs. 90) is what actually decides it.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Wild Turkey 81 | Buffalo Trace |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 81 proof (40.5% ABV) | 90 proof (45% ABV) +9 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$20 – $25 ~$9 less | ~$28 – $35 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Limited |
- Wild Turkey 81 and Buffalo Trace do not publish an official mash bill.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.
Buffalo Trace
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Wild Turkey 81 Buffalo Trace
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 4/6 oak: Wild Turkey 81 4 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 6 out of 10
fruit 3/5 fruit: Wild Turkey 81 3 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 5 out of 10
heat 2/4 heat: Wild Turkey 81 2 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 4 out of 10
nuttiness 2/4 nuttiness: Wild Turkey 81 2 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 4 out of 10
spice 4/5 spice: Wild Turkey 81 4 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 5 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Wild Turkey 81 6 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 6 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Oak is doing most of the differentiating here.
- 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.
- Buffalo Trace: The reference-point Kentucky bourbon: balanced brown sugar and vanilla sweetness, a whisper of mint, and just enough oak and spice to keep it interesting. Nothing is loud, which is exactly the point at 90 proof.
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 and without hunting for it.
- Go with Buffalo Trace if you want the balanced, everyday Kentucky benchmark that does nothing wrong at a fair price with slightly more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed highball, cocktails (Wild Turkey 81); neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Buffalo Trace).