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Bulleit Bourbon vs Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof
Bulleit Bourbon and Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: a blender-built, rye-forward bottling versus an undiluted barrel-strength pour.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Bulleit Bourbon | Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill 1 | 68% corn, 28% rye, 4% malted barley | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 13 years |
| Proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) | 123.8 proof (61.9% ABV) +34 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$25 – $32 ~$222 less | ~$200 – $300 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Limited |
- Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 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
Bulleit Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Bulleit Bourbon Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 4/8 heat: Bulleit Bourbon 4 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 8 out of 10
sweetness 5/8 sweetness: Bulleit Bourbon 5 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 8 out of 10
oak 5/8 oak: Bulleit Bourbon 5 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 8 out of 10
spice 7/6 spice: Bulleit Bourbon 7 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 6 out of 10
fruit 5/6 fruit: Bulleit Bourbon 5 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Bulleit Bourbon 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.
- Bulleit Bourbon: The bottle that put high-rye bourbon in every cocktail bar in the country. Peppery and dry with the familiar MGP dill note, and it earns its place behind the bar more than in a glass on its own.
- 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 Bulleit Bourbon if you want a dry, peppery, high-rye bourbon built for cocktails and available absolutely everywhere 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 old-fashioned, cocktails, highball (Bulleit Bourbon); neat (Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof).