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Wild Turkey 81 vs New Riff 8 Year
Comparing Wild Turkey 81 and New Riff 8 Year reveals a matchup between a traditional, even-keeled Kentucky staple and a modern, spice-driven craft expression.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Wild Turkey 81 | New Riff 8 Year |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley | 65% corn, 30% rye, 5% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 8 years |
| Proof | 81 proof (40.5% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +19 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$20 – $25 ~$45 less | ~$65 – $70 |
- 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.
New Riff 8 Year
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Wild Turkey 81 New Riff 8 Year
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 4/8 spice: Wild Turkey 81 4 out of 10, New Riff 8 Year 8 out of 10
oak 4/7 oak: Wild Turkey 81 4 out of 10, New Riff 8 Year 7 out of 10
heat 2/5 heat: Wild Turkey 81 2 out of 10, New Riff 8 Year 5 out of 10
fruit 3/5 fruit: Wild Turkey 81 3 out of 10, New Riff 8 Year 5 out of 10
nuttiness 2/3 nuttiness: Wild Turkey 81 2 out of 10, New Riff 8 Year 3 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Wild Turkey 81 6 out of 10, New Riff 8 Year 6 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Rye spice is the dividing line here.
- 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.
- New Riff 8 Year: The older, deeper version of New Riff's bonded bourbon. Same 30% rye recipe, but eight years add richer oak and darker sugar while keeping the spice front and center.
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 New Riff 8 Year if you want an older, deeper take on New Riff's spicy high-rye recipe with more proof behind it and with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
Best enjoyed highball, cocktails (Wild Turkey 81); neat, old-fashioned (New Riff 8 Year).