Jim Beam vs Wild Turkey: What’s the Difference?

Updated April 2026.

These are two Kentucky straight bourbons from different companies and different proof classes. Beam Distilling’s Jim Beam page prints Proof: 80. Wild Turkey’s 101 product page now prints “101-proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon” and “101 proof aged between 6–8 years” (brand copy, not a TTB age statement). The shop tile on that same URL also says the product is unavailable — read the neck. A 1.5-ounce pour is one NIAAA drink at 40% and 1.26 drinks at 50.5%. This is not a 2022 winner.

Related: Wild Turkey 101 vs Buffalo Trace, Beam proof, 80-proof bourbon.

Proof is the split

Jim Beam White Wild Turkey 101
Class Kentucky straight bourbon Kentucky straight bourbon
US proof used here 80 / 40% 101 / 50.5% on the brand 101 page
1.5 oz drinks 1.00 1.26
Mash-bill % Not printed Not invented

A 750 mL 50.5% bottle is about 21 drinks. Four 101-proof pours are about 5.1 drinks. 81 and Rare Breed are other Turkey SKUs. Pour math: whiskey drinks.

Sources

  • beamdistilling.com Jim Beam: Proof 80.
  • wildturkeybourbon.com/en-us/products/wild-turkey-101/: 101-proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon; 6–8 year brand copy. Shop tile on that URL said unavailable.
  • TTB 27 CFR 5.143. NIAAA December 2025.

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