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Wild Turkey 81 vs E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel
Wild Turkey 81 and E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel are cut from similar cloth: two takes on traditional bourbons, where the real difference is price (~$20 – $25 vs. ~$70 – $140).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Wild Turkey 81 | E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel |
|---|---|---|
| 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) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +19 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$20 – $25 ~$83 less | ~$70 – $140 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Allocated |
- Wild Turkey 81 and E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel do not publish an official mash bill.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.
E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Wild Turkey 81 E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 4/8 oak: Wild Turkey 81 4 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 8 out of 10
heat 2/5 heat: Wild Turkey 81 2 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 5 out of 10
fruit 3/5 fruit: Wild Turkey 81 3 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 5 out of 10
nuttiness 2/4 nuttiness: Wild Turkey 81 2 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 4 out of 10
spice 4/5 spice: Wild Turkey 81 4 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 5 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Wild Turkey 81 6 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 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.
- E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel: Single barrels from the warehouse Colonel Taylor built, bonded at 100 proof. More oak and more concentration than the small batch, and one of the most sought-after regular releases Buffalo Trace makes.
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 and without hunting for it.
- Go with E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel if you want the most concentrated bonded expression of the Buffalo Trace profile, and the hunt does not deter you with more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed highball, cocktails (Wild Turkey 81); neat (E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel).