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Wild Turkey 81 vs Horse Soldier Barrel Strength
Wild Turkey 81 and Horse Soldier Barrel Strength sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an old-guard, classically built classic versus an uncut, wheat-forward heavyweight.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Wild Turkey 81 | Horse Soldier Barrel Strength |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley | 70% corn, 20% wheat, 10% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 81 proof (40.5% ABV) | 111 proof (55.5% ABV) +30 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$20 – $25 ~$59 less | ~$78 – $85 |
- Wild Turkey 81 and Horse Soldier Barrel Strength do not publish an official mash bill.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.
Horse Soldier Barrel Strength
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Wild Turkey 81 Horse Soldier Barrel Strength
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 2/7 heat: Wild Turkey 81 2 out of 10, Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 7 out of 10
oak 4/6 oak: Wild Turkey 81 4 out of 10, Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 6 out of 10
fruit 3/5 fruit: Wild Turkey 81 3 out of 10, Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 5 out of 10
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: Wild Turkey 81 6 out of 10, Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 7 out of 10
spice 4/5 spice: Wild Turkey 81 4 out of 10, Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 5 out of 10
nuttiness 2/3 nuttiness: Wild Turkey 81 2 out of 10, Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land very differently on the palate for heat.
- 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.
- Horse Soldier Barrel Strength: A barrel-strength wheater from the veteran-founded Horse Soldier brand. Brown sugar and toasted oak lead, baking spice and heat follow, and a splash of water pulls out darker fruit.
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 Horse Soldier Barrel Strength if you want a big, barrel-strength wheated bourbon with plenty of brown sugar and warmth with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
Best enjoyed highball, cocktails (Wild Turkey 81); neat, old-fashioned (Horse Soldier Barrel Strength).