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Woodford Reserve vs Wild Turkey 81
Comparing Woodford Reserve and Wild Turkey 81 reveals a matchup between a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple and a traditional, even-keeled Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Woodford Reserve | 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 | ~$35 – $42 | ~$20 – $25 ~$16 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
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Wild Turkey 81
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Woodford Reserve Wild Turkey 81
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 6/3 fruit: Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 3 out of 10
spice 6/4 spice: Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 4 out of 10
oak 6/4 oak: Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 4 out of 10
heat 4/2 heat: Woodford Reserve 4 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 2 out of 10
nuttiness 3/2 nuttiness: Woodford Reserve 3 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 2 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 6 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The fruit-versus-grain contrast drives this one.
- Woodford Reserve: The most widely poured premium bourbon in America, and a genuinely well-made one. Dried fruit and cocoa over a balanced 18% rye mash, finished smooth enough to please almost anyone.
- 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 if you want a polished, widely available crowd-pleaser that never puts a foot wrong with slightly more proof behind it.
- Go with Wild Turkey 81 if you want a lighter Wild Turkey built for mixing at a lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Woodford Reserve); highball, cocktails (Wild Turkey 81).