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1792 Small Batch vs Russell’s Reserve 15 Year
Comparing 1792 Small Batch and Russell’s Reserve 15 Year reveals a matchup between a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple and an uncut, cask-strength bruiser.
Key Specifications
| Feature | 1792 Small Batch | Russell’s Reserve 15 Year |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 15 years |
| Proof | 93.7 proof (46.9% ABV) | 117.2 proof (58.6% ABV) +24 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$26 – $34 ~$295 less | ~$250 – $400 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Allocated |
- 1792 Small Batch and Russell’s Reserve 15 Year do not publish an official mash bill.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
1792 Small Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Russell’s Reserve 15 Year
One of my favorites.
Flavor Profile
1792 Small Batch Russell’s Reserve 15 Year
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 6/9 oak: 1792 Small Batch 6 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 9 out of 10
heat 5/7 heat: 1792 Small Batch 5 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 7 out of 10
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: 1792 Small Batch 6 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 7 out of 10
spice 7/6 spice: 1792 Small Batch 7 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 6 out of 10
fruit 5/6 fruit: 1792 Small Batch 5 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 6 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: 1792 Small Batch 4 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Barrel influence is the main separator.
- 1792 Small Batch: Barton's flagship and one of the most under-discussed bottles at its price. A high-rye character with cocoa and orange peel, and considerably more going on than the shelf position suggests.
- Russell’s Reserve 15 Year: The oldest regular Russell's Reserve, at barrel proof. Fifteen years in Camp Nelson rickhouses push it toward old oak, leather and dried fruit over the usual Turkey spice.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with 1792 Small Batch if you want an overlooked, spice-forward Kentucky bourbon that punches above its price without hunting for it.
- Go with Russell’s Reserve 15 Year if you want a very old, oak-heavy Wild Turkey for slow sipping with more proof behind it and with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned (1792 Small Batch); neat (Russell’s Reserve 15 Year).