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Wild Turkey 81 vs Woodford Reserve Double Oaked
Wild Turkey 81 and Woodford Reserve Double Oaked sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an old-guard, classically built classic versus an old-guard, rye-forward classic.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Wild Turkey 81 | Woodford Reserve Double Oaked |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 81 proof (40.5% ABV) | 90.4 proof (45.2% ABV) +9 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$20 – $25 ~$34 less | ~$50 – $62 |
- 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.
Woodford Reserve Double Oaked
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Wild Turkey 81 Woodford Reserve Double Oaked
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 4/9 oak: Wild Turkey 81 4 out of 10, Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 9 out of 10
sweetness 6/8 sweetness: Wild Turkey 81 6 out of 10, Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 8 out of 10
fruit 3/5 fruit: Wild Turkey 81 3 out of 10, Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 5 out of 10
heat 2/4 heat: Wild Turkey 81 2 out of 10, Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 4 out of 10
spice 4/5 spice: Wild Turkey 81 4 out of 10, Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 5 out of 10
nuttiness 2/3 nuttiness: Wild Turkey 81 2 out of 10, Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Barrel influence is the main separator.
- 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.
- Woodford Reserve Double Oaked: A second barrel, deeply toasted, and the result is unashamedly dessert-like. Maple and caramelised sugar with heavy wood — polarising if you want restraint, excellent if you want sweetness.
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 Woodford Reserve Double Oaked if you want an overtly sweet, heavily oaked, dessert-leaning bourbon with slightly more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed highball, cocktails (Wild Turkey 81); neat, rocks (Woodford Reserve Double Oaked).