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Wild Turkey 81 vs Jefferson’s Very Small Batch
Comparing Wild Turkey 81 and Jefferson’s Very Small Batch is a closer contest than it looks — both are traditional bourbons, separated mainly by price (~$20 – $25 vs. ~$28 – $36).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Wild Turkey 81 | Jefferson’s Very Small Batch |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Traditional 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) | 82.3 proof (41.1% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$20 – $25 ~$10 less | ~$28 – $36 |
- Wild Turkey 81 and Jefferson’s Very Small Batch do not publish an official mash bill.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.
Jefferson’s Very Small Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Wild Turkey 81 Jefferson’s Very Small Batch
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 3/5 fruit: Wild Turkey 81 3 out of 10, Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 5 out of 10
nuttiness 2/3 nuttiness: Wild Turkey 81 2 out of 10, Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 3 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Wild Turkey 81 6 out of 10, Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 6 out of 10
spice 4/4 spice: Wild Turkey 81 4 out of 10, Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 4 out of 10
oak 4/4 oak: Wild Turkey 81 4 out of 10, Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 4 out of 10
heat 2/2 heat: Wild Turkey 81 2 out of 10, Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 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.
- Jefferson’s Very Small Batch: A blend of sourced barrels bottled at a very gentle 82.3 proof. Easy and inoffensive, but thin enough that it is hard to recommend over bonded bottles costing less.
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 Jefferson’s Very Small Batch if you want an especially soft, low-proof pour and gentleness matters more than intensity.
Best enjoyed highball, cocktails (Wild Turkey 81); rocks, cocktails, highball (Jefferson’s Very Small Batch).