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Wild Turkey 81 vs Johnny Drum Private Stock
Wild Turkey 81 and Johnny Drum Private Stock sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an old-guard, classically built classic versus an old-guard, classically built classic.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Wild Turkey 81 | Johnny Drum Private Stock |
|---|---|---|
| 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) | 101 proof (50.5% ABV) +20 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$20 – $25 ~$18 less | ~$35 – $45 |
- Wild Turkey 81 and Johnny Drum Private Stock do not publish an official mash bill.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.
Johnny Drum Private Stock
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Wild Turkey 81 Johnny Drum Private Stock
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 3/6 fruit: Wild Turkey 81 3 out of 10, Johnny Drum Private Stock 6 out of 10
heat 2/5 heat: Wild Turkey 81 2 out of 10, Johnny Drum Private Stock 5 out of 10
spice 4/6 spice: Wild Turkey 81 4 out of 10, Johnny Drum Private Stock 6 out of 10
nuttiness 2/4 nuttiness: Wild Turkey 81 2 out of 10, Johnny Drum Private Stock 4 out of 10
oak 4/5 oak: Wild Turkey 81 4 out of 10, Johnny Drum Private Stock 5 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Wild Turkey 81 6 out of 10, Johnny Drum Private Stock 6 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.
- Johnny Drum Private Stock: An old-school Willett label at 101 proof. Oily and dessert-like, with baked apple, almond and custard, and rye-like mint and spice on the finish.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Wild Turkey 81 if you want a lighter Wild Turkey built for mixing at a lower price point.
- Go with Johnny Drum Private Stock if you want an oily, dessert-like 101-proof pour with old-school Willett character.
Best enjoyed highball, cocktails (Wild Turkey 81); neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Johnny Drum Private Stock).