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Wild Turkey 81 vs Old Forester 100 Proof
Put Wild Turkey 81 next to Old Forester 100 Proof and you have a classic, corn-forward stalwart set against a classic, high-rye stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Wild Turkey 81 | Old Forester 100 Proof |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 81 proof (40.5% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +19 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$20 – $25 ~$7 less | ~$26 – $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.
Old Forester 100 Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Wild Turkey 81 Old Forester 100 Proof
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 2/5 heat: Wild Turkey 81 2 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 5 out of 10
spice 4/6 spice: Wild Turkey 81 4 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 6 out of 10
oak 4/6 oak: Wild Turkey 81 4 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 6 out of 10
fruit 3/5 fruit: Wild Turkey 81 3 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 5 out of 10
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: Wild Turkey 81 6 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 7 out of 10
nuttiness 2/3 nuttiness: Wild Turkey 81 2 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Proof and heat dominate the difference.
- 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.
- Old Forester 100 Proof: The bottle most people should buy from this range: the same recipe as the 86 with enough proof to actually taste it. One of the strongest arguments on the shelf for spending six dollars more.
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 Old Forester 100 Proof if you want the best value in the Old Forester range and a superb old-fashioned base.
Best enjoyed highball, cocktails (Wild Turkey 81); neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Old Forester 100 Proof).