Compare
Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series vs Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof
Comparing Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series and Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof reveals a matchup between a modern, even-keeled craft expression and an uncut, cask-strength bruiser.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series | Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 13 years |
| Proof | 98.9 proof (49.5% ABV) | 123.8 proof (61.9% ABV) +25 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$55 – $70 ~$188 less | ~$200 – $300 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Limited |
- Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series and Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof do not publish an official mash bill.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
Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 5/8 heat: Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series 5 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 8 out of 10
oak 6/8 oak: Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series 6 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 8 out of 10
sweetness 7/8 sweetness: Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series 7 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 8 out of 10
spice 5/6 spice: Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series 5 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 6 out of 10
fruit 6/6 fruit: Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series 6 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series 3 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land very differently on the palate for heat.
- Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series: A blend of Bardstown's own young distillate with older sourced Kentucky whiskey, which is exactly what the name describes. Polished and fruit-leaning, and a clear demonstration that the blending is the skill on show.
- 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 Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series if you want a well-built modern blend that shows what careful blending does rather than what age alone does at a significantly lower price point.
- 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 neat, rocks (Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series); neat (Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof).