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Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel vs Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof
Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel and Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an old-guard, classically built classic versus an undiluted barrel-strength pour.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel | Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | 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 | 94 proof (47% ABV) | 123.8 proof (61.9% ABV) +30 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$60 – $80 ~$180 less | ~$200 – $300 |
- 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
Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 4/8 heat: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 4 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 8 out of 10
fruit 4/6 fruit: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 4 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 6 out of 10
nuttiness 5/3 nuttiness: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 5 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 3 out of 10
spice 5/6 spice: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 5 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 6 out of 10
oak 9/8 oak: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 9 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 8 out of 10
sweetness 8/8 sweetness: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 8 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 8 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Proof and heat dominate the difference.
- Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel: Finished in a second toasted (not charred) barrel, which produces an unmistakable toasted-marshmallow note. Sweet and heavily wooded, and one of the more distinctive finishes any major producer makes.
- 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 Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel if you want a distinctive toasted-oak, marshmallow-sweet finish you will not find in a standard 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 with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel); neat (Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof).