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Wild Turkey 81 vs Penelope Rio
Wild Turkey 81 and Penelope Rio sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an old-guard, classically built classic versus a sourced, classically built blend.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Wild Turkey 81 | Penelope Rio |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Four-Grain Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley | 74% corn, 7% rye, 16% wheat, 3% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 81 proof (40.5% ABV) | 98 proof (49% ABV) +17 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$20 – $25 ~$68 less | ~$80 – $100 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Limited |
- 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.
Penelope Rio
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Wild Turkey 81 Penelope Rio
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 6/9 sweetness: Wild Turkey 81 6 out of 10, Penelope Rio 9 out of 10
fruit 3/6 fruit: Wild Turkey 81 3 out of 10, Penelope Rio 6 out of 10
heat 2/5 heat: Wild Turkey 81 2 out of 10, Penelope Rio 5 out of 10
spice 4/6 spice: Wild Turkey 81 4 out of 10, Penelope Rio 6 out of 10
nuttiness 2/3 nuttiness: Wild Turkey 81 2 out of 10, Penelope Rio 3 out of 10
oak 4/4 oak: Wild Turkey 81 4 out of 10, Penelope Rio 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.
- Penelope Rio: Penelope's four-grain blend finished in honey barrels and then amburana wood. It tastes like a cinnamon roll: honey, gingerbread and sweet baking spice.
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 and without hunting for it.
- Go with Penelope Rio if you want a honey-and-amburana-finished bourbon that tastes like a cinnamon roll with more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed highball, cocktails (Wild Turkey 81); neat, old-fashioned (Penelope Rio).