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Woodford Reserve Double Oaked vs Wild Turkey 81
Woodford Reserve Double Oaked and Wild Turkey 81 sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an old-guard, rye-forward classic versus an old-guard, classically built classic.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Woodford Reserve Double Oaked | Wild Turkey 81 |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 90.4 proof (45.2% ABV) +9 proof | 81 proof (40.5% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$50 – $62 | ~$20 – $25 ~$34 less |
- Wild Turkey 81 does not publish an official mash bill.
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Woodford Reserve Double Oaked
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Wild Turkey 81
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Woodford Reserve Double Oaked Wild Turkey 81
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 9/4 oak: Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 9 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 4 out of 10
sweetness 8/6 sweetness: Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 8 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 6 out of 10
fruit 5/3 fruit: Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 5 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 3 out of 10
heat 4/2 heat: Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 4 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 2 out of 10
spice 5/4 spice: Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 5 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 4 out of 10
nuttiness 3/2 nuttiness: Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 3 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 2 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Barrel influence is the main separator.
- 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.
- 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.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Woodford Reserve Double Oaked if you want an overtly sweet, heavily oaked, dessert-leaning bourbon with slightly more proof behind it.
- Go with Wild Turkey 81 if you want a lighter Wild Turkey built for mixing at a significantly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Woodford Reserve Double Oaked); highball, cocktails (Wild Turkey 81).