Compare
Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof vs Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof
Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof and Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof are cut from similar cloth: two takes on traditional bourbons, where the real difference is price (~$75 – $200 vs. ~$200 – $300).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof | Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill 1 | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 13 years |
| Proof | 130.3 proof (65.2% ABV) +7 proof | 123.8 proof (61.9% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$75 – $200 ~$113 less | ~$200 – $300 |
| Availability | Allocated | Limited easier to find |
- Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof and Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof do not publish an official mash bill.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
Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof
A top 5 bottle.
Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
nuttiness 6/3 nuttiness: Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 6 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 3 out of 10
sweetness 6/8 sweetness: Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 6 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 8 out of 10
fruit 4/6 fruit: Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 4 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 6 out of 10
spice 5/6 spice: Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 5 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 6 out of 10
heat 9/8 heat: Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 9 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 8 out of 10
oak 8/8 oak: Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 8 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 8 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The house grain character is what splits these.
- Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof: E.H. Taylor straight from the barrel. Very hot and nutty, with toasted pecan, dark sugar and heavy oak; the proof changes with each batch.
- 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 Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof if you want a hot, nutty, barrel-proof Buffalo Trace bourbon 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 without hunting for it.
Best enjoyed neat (Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof); neat (Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof).