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Wild Turkey 81 vs Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B
Comparing Wild Turkey 81 and Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B reveals a matchup between a traditional, even-keeled Kentucky staple and a traditional, wheated Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Wild Turkey 81 | Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | 12 years |
| Proof | 81 proof (40.5% ABV) | 90.4 proof (45.2% ABV) +9 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$20 – $25 ~$513 less | ~$170 – $900 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Allocated |
- Wild Turkey 81 and Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B do not publish an official mash bill.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.
Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Wild Turkey 81 Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 6/8 sweetness: Wild Turkey 81 6 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 8 out of 10
oak 4/6 oak: Wild Turkey 81 4 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 6 out of 10
fruit 3/5 fruit: Wild Turkey 81 3 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 5 out of 10
spice 4/3 spice: Wild Turkey 81 4 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10
heat 2/3 heat: Wild Turkey 81 2 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 out of 10
nuttiness 2/3 nuttiness: Wild Turkey 81 2 out of 10, Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B 3 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.
- Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B: Twelve-year wheated bourbon from the Van Winkle line. Soft and balanced, with butterscotch, toffee and caramel and a gentle, spiced finish.
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 Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B if you want a soft, balanced, 12-year wheater from the Van Winkle line with slightly more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed highball, cocktails (Wild Turkey 81); neat (Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year Lot B).