Discover the differences between 1792 Small Batch vs Wild Turkey 101 in this head to head comparison and decide which bourbon is better for You!
1792 Small Batch

Nose | Charred oak, banana, rye spice |
Palate | Cinnamon, oak, banana, ripe fruit |
Finish | Medium-length, cinnamon, pepper, oak |
Alcohol content | 94 proof (47% ABV) |
How to drink | Rocks, cocktails |
Similar to | Eagle Rare, Buffalo Trace, Single Barrel |
1792 is not the year in which this distillery was founded but when Kentucky was recognized as a state.
Buffalo Trace owns 1792 Bourbon but is crafted at its own distillery in Barton.
The nose is rich in burnt oak, banana with a light touch of green apple and rye spice. It comes together to be somewhat earthy and creamy as you let it sit on the glass.
Palate is smooth with hints of cinnamon moving across the mouth before gradually intensifying and being joined by bitter dry oak notes.
There are notes of banana and ripe fruit, but they are immediately overwhelmed by the spice leaving this dram a bit one dimensional and fairly unbalanced.
The finish has a medium-length with a lingering cinnamon spiciness and dry oak and is a bit warm but nothing off-putting.
1792 Small Batch is a little forgettable perhaps, yet easy to drink without thinking about it. It has a few nice tasting notes, but out of balance and not quite developed.
Read my post: Discover the Best 1792 Whiskey where you will find better options than the Small Batch which is not my jam.
There are a few facts worth knowing about 1792 Small Batch:
- Prior to 2013 this whiskey had an 8 year age statement.
- The whiskey carries a high proportion of rye in the mash providing a spicy note.
- 1792 celebrates the year in which Kentucky was recognized as a state.
- Double Gold Medal at the 2011 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
- Earned 95 points, tying Pappy 23 at the Ultimate Spirits Challenge in 2012.
Wild Turkey 101

Nose | Oak, honey, caramel, vanilla |
Palate | Vanilla, brown sugar, baking spice, mint |
Finish | Long, caramel, charred oak, old leather |
Alcohol content | 101 proof (50.5% ABV) |
How to drink | Rocks |
Similar to | Wild Turkey 81, Rare Breed |
On the nose the Wild Turkey 101 is sweet, with hints of honey, caramel and vanilla along a charred oak note.
It offers a nice mouthfeel as it has a buttery feel, a bit warm at first, giving way to vanilla, brown sugar, baking spice, hazelnuts and a light touch of mint.
The finish is medium to long, pleasantly warm, high in charred oak which is a common feature across every Wild Turkey bourbon.
Wild Turkey 101 strikes a solid balance between oak spice, old leather and sweet notes, it is complex but yet easy to drink with quite a pleasant finish.
This is good tasty bourbon that gives a moderate yet pleasing burn; add a large ice ball if you want it go down easy.
The Wild Turkey 101 is one of the best bourbons in terms of value, it goes head to head with much pricier and elite bottles making it a no-brainer.
Learn more about this brand by reading my post: Discover the Best Wild Turkey Bourbon where I rank every offering.
There are a few facts worth knowing about the Wild Turkey 101 Bourbon:
- Wild Turkey’s mash bill is comprised of 75% corn, 13% rye and 12% barley.
- This whiskey ages for no less than 5 years in heavily charred casks.
- Wild Turkey uses non-GMOs to make whiskey.
- Wild Turkey barrels its whiskeys at a lower entry-proof, meaning the spirit is a lower proof as it comes off the still prior to maturing; that lower entry proof allows to more flavor from the grains.
- The whiskey is pulled from the barrel at 109 proof before being proofed down a notch.
- Earned a gold medal at the International Wine & Spirits Competition.
1792 Small Batch vs Wild Turkey 101: Price comparison
Prices are approximate and stated in USD:
Whiskey | Price |
1792 Small Batch | $33 |
Wild Turkey 101 | $27 |
1792 Small Batch vs Wild Turkey 101: Which is better?
The 101 delivers a better experience from nose to finish
Whiskey | 1792 Small Batch | Wild Turkey 101 |
Nose | ✅ | ✅ |
Body | ✅ | ✅ |
Palate | ✅ | |
Finish | ✅ | |
Value | ✅ |
- The Wild Turkey 101 is a champ in terms of value and better than the 1792.
- The Turkey is buttery, tasty, with the signature charred oak note of the house and does not drink like a 100+ proof bottle making an entirely satisfying dram to sip neat or make punchy cocktails.
- The 101 ticks all the right boxes making perhaps the best whiskey in its price range.
- The 1792 is not bad, just a little too generic.

I am a bar and liquor shop owner in Oaxaca, Mexico where I have tasted hundreds of different spirits; perhaps more than I should!
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