Wild Turkey 101
Lawrenceburg, Kentucky
Higher proof, low barrel entry proof (no diluting before aging), high-rye mashbill. Heavier flavors and heavier congener load.
- Barrel entry proof
- 115
- Aging
- 6-8 years, new charred American oak
- Mashbill
- Corn 75%Rye 13%Malted barley 12%
- Grains
- corn, rye, malted barley
- Congeners
- Very High
- Histamines
- Moderate
- Polyphenols
- Moderate
- Sulfites
- Very Low
- Tannins
- High
- Sugar
- Very Low
- Additives
- Very Low
- Calories
- 124
- Sugar
- 0g
17.7g ethanol at 50.5% ABV. No sugar, so every calorie here is alcohol.
In its favor
- ✓Low barrel entry proof concentrates flavor over dilution
- ✓No additives, high integrity production
What to watch
- !High proof + high congeners = significant hangover load
- !High-rye mashbill = more spice/aldehyde
Factor by factor
Congeners Very High ▾
Byproducts of fermentation (methanol, acetaldehyde, fusel alcohols). Strongly linked to hangover severity; darker, less-distilled spirits carry more.
Histamines Moderate ▾
Produced by bacteria during fermentation/aging. Trigger flushing, headaches, congestion in sensitive drinkers. High in red wine, beer, aged spirits.
Polyphenols Moderate ▾
Plant compounds with antioxidant activity. Slightly protective at low doses but at high concentrations may worsen hangover via tannin/quercetin reactions.
Sulfites Very Low ▾
Preservatives (SO₂) added to wine and some beers. Common trigger of headaches, asthma, and allergic-type reactions.
Tannins High ▾
Astringent polyphenols from skins, seeds, barrels. Bind proteins, slow alcohol clearance, and aggravate dehydration-style symptoms.
Sugar Very Low ▾
Residual sugar amplifies hangover via blood-sugar swings and dehydration. Liqueurs and cocktails are the main offenders.
Additives Very Low ▾
Colorants, flavorings, glycerin, propylene glycol, sorbates. Cheap spirits and ready-to-drinks often hide these in trade-secret formulas.
Wild Turkey 101 is one of the more characterful bourbons, and one of the more punishing. The chemistry behind that depth is also the chemistry behind the hangover.
Wild Turkey 101 questions
How many calories are in a shot of Wild Turkey 101? ▾
About 124 calories in a 1.5oz shot at 50.5% ABV. All of them come from the alcohol, since there is no sugar.
Does Wild Turkey 101 have sugar? ▾
No. Wild Turkey 101 has 0g of sugar per 1.5oz serving.
Is Wild Turkey 101 gluten-free? ▾
Not by label. Wild Turkey 101 is distilled from rye and barley, so US rules bar it from claiming gluten-free. Distillation does remove the gluten protein, and the Celiac Disease Foundation considers distilled spirits safe for most coeliacs. If you would rather avoid the question, pick a spirit distilled from corn, potato, grape or agave.
What is Wild Turkey 101 made from? ▾
Wild Turkey 101 is made from corn, rye, malted barley, with a mashbill of 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley.
What proof is Wild Turkey 101? ▾
Wild Turkey 101 is 101 proof, which is 50.5% alcohol by volume.
Does Wild Turkey 101 give you a bad hangover? ▾
Wild Turkey 101 scores 8/10 on the SpiritFacts Hangover Index, against 7/10 for bourbon overall. The main drivers are its congeners and tannins.
Is Wild Turkey 101 vegan? ▾
Yes. Wild Turkey 101 is listed as vegan, with no animal-derived ingredients or fining agents.