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Wild Turkey 81 vs Maker's Mark
Put Wild Turkey 81 next to Maker's Mark and you have a classic, corn-forward stalwart set against a classic, high-wheat stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Wild Turkey 81 | Maker's Mark |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley | 70% corn, 16% wheat, 14% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 81 proof (40.5% ABV) | 90 proof (45% ABV) +9 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$20 – $25 ~$6 less | ~$25 – $32 |
- Wild Turkey 81 does 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.
Maker's Mark
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Wild Turkey 81 Maker's Mark
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 6/8 sweetness: Wild Turkey 81 6 out of 10, Maker's Mark 8 out of 10
spice 4/2 spice: Wild Turkey 81 4 out of 10, Maker's Mark 2 out of 10
fruit 3/4 fruit: Wild Turkey 81 3 out of 10, Maker's Mark 4 out of 10
heat 2/3 heat: Wild Turkey 81 2 out of 10, Maker's Mark 3 out of 10
nuttiness 2/3 nuttiness: Wild Turkey 81 2 out of 10, Maker's Mark 3 out of 10
oak 4/4 oak: Wild Turkey 81 4 out of 10, Maker's Mark 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The clearest split is how sweet each one drinks.
- 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.
- Maker's Mark: The bottle that made wheated bourbon mainstream. Soft, sweet, and deliberately low on spice and oak, with baked bread and honey doing most of the work. Consistency is its real feature.
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 Maker's Mark if you want a reliably sweet, low-spice wheater that is easy to find and easy to drink with slightly more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed highball, cocktails (Wild Turkey 81); neat, rocks, cocktails, highball (Maker's Mark).