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Wild Turkey 81 vs Penelope Toasted Series
Put Wild Turkey 81 next to Penelope Toasted Series and you have a classic, corn-forward stalwart set against a sourced, high-rye blend.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Wild Turkey 81 | Penelope Toasted Series |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley | 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% 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 ~$40 less | ~$55 – $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.
Penelope Toasted Series
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Wild Turkey 81 Penelope Toasted Series
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 4/7 oak: Wild Turkey 81 4 out of 10, Penelope Toasted Series 7 out of 10
heat 2/5 heat: Wild Turkey 81 2 out of 10, Penelope Toasted Series 5 out of 10
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: Wild Turkey 81 6 out of 10, Penelope Toasted Series 7 out of 10
spice 4/5 spice: Wild Turkey 81 4 out of 10, Penelope Toasted Series 5 out of 10
fruit 3/4 fruit: Wild Turkey 81 3 out of 10, Penelope Toasted Series 4 out of 10
nuttiness 2/3 nuttiness: Wild Turkey 81 2 out of 10, Penelope Toasted Series 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Oak is doing most of the differentiating 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.
- Penelope Toasted Series: Finished in a second, freshly toasted barrel, which pushes it toward toffee, roasted coffee and darker oak. The toast level changes from batch to batch.
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 Penelope Toasted Series if you want a toasty, coffee-and-toffee bourbon from a second-barrel finish 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 (Penelope Toasted Series).