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Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat vs Russell’s Reserve 15 Year
Comparing Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat and Russell’s Reserve 15 Year reveals a matchup between a modern, wheated craft expression and an uncut, cask-strength bruiser.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat | Russell’s Reserve 15 Year |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill 1 | 53% corn, 39% wheat, 8% malted barley | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | 6 years | 15 years +9 yr |
| Proof | 106 proof (53% ABV) | 117.2 proof (58.6% ABV) +11 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$50 – $55 ~$273 less | ~$250 – $400 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Allocated |
- Russell’s Reserve 15 Year does 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 Origin Series High Wheat
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Russell’s Reserve 15 Year
One of my favorites.
Flavor Profile
Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat Russell’s Reserve 15 Year
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 5/9 oak: Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat 5 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 9 out of 10
spice 3/6 spice: Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat 3 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 6 out of 10
fruit 8/6 fruit: Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat 8 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 6 out of 10
heat 5/7 heat: Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat 5 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 7 out of 10
nuttiness 2/3 nuttiness: Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat 2 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 3 out of 10
sweetness 7/7 sweetness: Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat 7 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 7 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Barrel influence is the main separator.
- Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat: Because wheat makes up a massive 39% of the mash bill, this pour trades the aggressive spice of rye for a softer, oily mouthfeel. Expect bright fruit notes like ripe apricot and lemon on the nose, transitioning to pastry dough, light oak, and a creamy creme brulee sweetness balanced by a mild peppery backbone.
- 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 Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat if you want a softer, fruit-forward, contemporary profile with a richer, oily texture and lower emphasis on traditional oak at a significantly lower price point.
- 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 an older age statement.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat); neat (Russell’s Reserve 15 Year).