Compare
Wild Turkey 81 vs Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year
Put Wild Turkey 81 next to Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year and you have a classic, corn-forward stalwart set against a full-proof, unfiltered heavyweight.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Wild Turkey 81 | Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley | 68% corn, 18% rye, 14% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 4 years |
| Proof | 81 proof (40.5% ABV) | 125.2 proof (62.6% ABV) +44 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$20 – $25 ~$48 less | ~$65 – $75 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Limited |
- Wild Turkey 81 and Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year do not publish an official mash bill.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.
Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Wild Turkey 81 Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 2/9 heat: Wild Turkey 81 2 out of 10, Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 9 out of 10
fruit 3/6 fruit: Wild Turkey 81 3 out of 10, Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 6 out of 10
spice 4/6 spice: Wild Turkey 81 4 out of 10, Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 6 out of 10
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: Wild Turkey 81 6 out of 10, Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 7 out of 10
nuttiness 2/3 nuttiness: Wild Turkey 81 2 out of 10, Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 3 out of 10
oak 4/4 oak: Wild Turkey 81 4 out of 10, Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land very differently on the palate for heat.
- 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.
- Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year: Willett's own young distillate at full barrel proof. It is loud and sweet, all caramel corn, pastry and citrus, with a lot of heat for a four-year bourbon. Proof varies by 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 and without hunting for it.
- Go with Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year if you want a young, hot, barrel-proof pour that shows off Willett's own distillate with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
Best enjoyed highball, cocktails (Wild Turkey 81); neat (Willett Family Estate Small Batch 4 Year).