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Ancient Age vs Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof
Comparing Ancient Age and Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof reveals a matchup between a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple and an uncut, cask-strength bruiser.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Ancient Age | Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 15% rye, 10% malted barley | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 13 years |
| Proof | 80 proof (40% ABV) | 123.8 proof (61.9% ABV) +44 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$14 – $18 ~$234 less | ~$200 – $300 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Limited |
- Ancient Age and Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof do not publish an official mash bill.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
Ancient Age
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Ancient Age Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 2/8 heat: Ancient Age 2 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 8 out of 10
oak 3/8 oak: Ancient Age 3 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 8 out of 10
sweetness 5/8 sweetness: Ancient Age 5 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 8 out of 10
spice 4/6 spice: Ancient Age 4 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 6 out of 10
fruit 4/6 fruit: Ancient Age 4 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 6 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Ancient Age 4 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Proof and heat dominate the difference.
- Ancient Age: The bottom rung of the Buffalo Trace ladder and priced accordingly. Thin and simple at 80 proof, but it is recognisably the Mash Bill #2 recipe and it does its job in a highball without complaint.
- Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof: Thirteen-year Wild Turkey at full barrel proof, uncut and unfiltered. Cola, molasses and fruit cobbler sit on deep, charred oak, and each release carries its own proof.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Ancient Age if you want the cheapest honest mixer in the lineup and you are not drinking it neat without hunting for it.
- Go with Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof if you want an old, uncut Wild Turkey with cola, cobbler and serious oak with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
Best enjoyed cocktails, highball (Ancient Age); neat (Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof).