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Wild Turkey 81 vs Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon
Put Wild Turkey 81 next to Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon and you have a classic, corn-forward stalwart set against a blender-built, corn-forward bottling.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Wild Turkey 81 | Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon |
|---|---|---|
| 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) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +19 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$20 – $25 ~$70 less | ~$85 – $100 |
- Wild Turkey 81 and Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon do not publish an official mash bill.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.
Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Wild Turkey 81 Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 3/8 fruit: Wild Turkey 81 3 out of 10, Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 8 out of 10
heat 2/5 heat: Wild Turkey 81 2 out of 10, Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 5 out of 10
nuttiness 2/5 nuttiness: Wild Turkey 81 2 out of 10, Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 5 out of 10
sweetness 6/8 sweetness: Wild Turkey 81 6 out of 10, Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 8 out of 10
oak 4/6 oak: Wild Turkey 81 4 out of 10, Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 6 out of 10
spice 4/5 spice: Wild Turkey 81 4 out of 10, Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon 5 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.
- Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon: Finished in Oloroso sherry, Pedro Ximenez sherry and Cognac casks. The casks layer dried fruit, orange and dark chocolate over the bourbon and leave a long, clove-spiced finish.
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 Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon if you want a sherry-and-Cognac-finished bourbon full of dried fruit and dark chocolate with more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed highball, cocktails (Wild Turkey 81); neat (Joseph Magnus Straight Bourbon).