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Eagle Rare 12 Year vs Russell’s Reserve 10 Year
Comparing Eagle Rare 12 Year and Russell’s Reserve 10 Year reveals a matchup between a traditional, even-keeled Kentucky staple and a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Eagle Rare 12 Year | Russell’s Reserve 10 Year |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | 12 years +2 yr | 10 years |
| Proof | 95 proof (47.5% ABV) +5 proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$50 – $80 | ~$40 – $50 ~$20 less |
| Availability | Allocated | Widely available easier to find |
- Eagle Rare 12 Year does not publish an official mash bill.
- US shelf prices as of 2026-10; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Eagle Rare 12 Year
Top 3, behind George T. Stagg and Jack Daniel's 14.
Russell’s Reserve 10 Year
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Eagle Rare 12 Year Russell’s Reserve 10 Year
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 6/4 fruit: Eagle Rare 12 Year 6 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 10 Year 4 out of 10
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: Eagle Rare 12 Year 7 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 10 Year 6 out of 10
spice 5/6 spice: Eagle Rare 12 Year 5 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 10 Year 6 out of 10
oak 7/8 oak: Eagle Rare 12 Year 7 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 10 Year 8 out of 10
heat 5/4 heat: Eagle Rare 12 Year 5 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 10 Year 4 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Eagle Rare 12 Year 4 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 10 Year 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Fruit character is what sets these apart.
- Eagle Rare 12 Year: Two more years and five more proof points than Eagle Rare 10. Brown sugar and toffee lead, with a drier, more astringent oak finish.
- Russell’s Reserve 10 Year: Ten years of Wild Turkey at a restrained 90 proof, which trades the 101's punch for polish. More oak and more composure, and one of the better age-stated bottles at its price.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Eagle Rare 12 Year if you want an older, richer step up from Eagle Rare 10 with more brown sugar and oak with an older age statement.
- Go with Russell’s Reserve 10 Year if you want an age-stated, oak-forward Wild Turkey with the volume turned down at a lower price point and without hunting for it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Eagle Rare 12 Year); neat, rocks (Russell’s Reserve 10 Year).