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Wild Turkey 81 vs Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond
Comparing Wild Turkey 81 and Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond is a closer contest than it looks — both are traditional bourbons, separated mainly by proof (81 vs. 100).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Wild Turkey 81 | Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | 4 years |
| Proof | 81 proof (40.5% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +19 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$20 – $25 | ~$16 – $22 |
- Wild Turkey 81 and Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond do not publish an official mash bill.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.
Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Wild Turkey 81 Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 2/5 heat: Wild Turkey 81 2 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
nuttiness 2/4 nuttiness: Wild Turkey 81 2 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10
spice 4/5 spice: Wild Turkey 81 4 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
oak 4/5 oak: Wild Turkey 81 4 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
fruit 3/4 fruit: Wild Turkey 81 3 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Wild Turkey 81 6 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 6 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.
- Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond: A bonded 100-proof bourbon at a price that barely seems possible, though distribution is patchy outside Kentucky. Unremarkable in the best way: it does everything a bourbon should and nothing extra.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Wild Turkey 81 if you want a lighter Wild Turkey built for mixing.
- Go with Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond if you want a bonded Kentucky bourbon for under twenty dollars, if you can find it in your state with more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed highball, cocktails (Wild Turkey 81); neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond).