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Wild Turkey 81 vs Uncle Nearest 1856
On paper Wild Turkey 81 and Uncle Nearest 1856 are near neighbours — both traditional bourbons — so price (~$20 – $25 vs. ~$55 – $70) is what actually decides it.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Wild Turkey 81 | Uncle Nearest 1856 |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Traditional Tennessee Whiskey |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| 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- Wild Turkey 81 and Uncle Nearest 1856 do not publish an official mash bill.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.
Uncle Nearest 1856
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Wild Turkey 81 Uncle Nearest 1856
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 4/7 oak: Wild Turkey 81 4 out of 10, Uncle Nearest 1856 7 out of 10
heat 2/5 heat: Wild Turkey 81 2 out of 10, Uncle Nearest 1856 5 out of 10
fruit 3/5 fruit: Wild Turkey 81 3 out of 10, Uncle Nearest 1856 5 out of 10
nuttiness 2/4 nuttiness: Wild Turkey 81 2 out of 10, Uncle Nearest 1856 4 out of 10
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: Wild Turkey 81 6 out of 10, Uncle Nearest 1856 7 out of 10
spice 4/5 spice: Wild Turkey 81 4 out of 10, Uncle Nearest 1856 5 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.
- Uncle Nearest 1856: Named for Nathan 'Nearest' Green, the enslaved distiller who taught Jack Daniel, and now backed by the brand's own distillery in Shelbyville. Sweet and maple-leaning with the charcoal-mellowed softness of the style.
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 Uncle Nearest 1856 if you want a sweet, maple-forward Tennessee whiskey with a story worth knowing behind it with more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed highball, cocktails (Wild Turkey 81); neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Uncle Nearest 1856).