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Four Roses Bourbon vs Russell’s Reserve 10 Year
Comparing Four Roses Bourbon and Russell’s Reserve 10 Year is a closer contest than it looks — both are high-rye bourbons, separated mainly by proof (80 vs. 90).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Four Roses Bourbon | Russell’s Reserve 10 Year |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 75% corn, 20% rye, 5% malted barley | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 10 years |
| Proof | 80 proof (40% ABV) | 90 proof (45% ABV) +10 proof |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$22 – $28 ~$20 less | ~$40 – $50 |
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Four Roses Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Russell’s Reserve 10 Year
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Four Roses Bourbon Russell’s Reserve 10 Year
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 3/8 oak: Four Roses Bourbon 3 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 10 Year 8 out of 10
fruit 6/4 fruit: Four Roses Bourbon 6 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 10 Year 4 out of 10
heat 2/4 heat: Four Roses Bourbon 2 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 10 Year 4 out of 10
spice 5/6 spice: Four Roses Bourbon 5 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 10 Year 6 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Four Roses Bourbon 6 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 10 Year 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Four Roses Bourbon 3 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 10 Year 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Barrel influence is the main separator.
- Four Roses Bourbon: The yellow label entry point, blending all ten Four Roses recipes at a gentle 80 proof. Light and fruity to a fault, but the house floral character is already recognisable and it mixes beautifully.
- 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 Four Roses Bourbon if you want the Four Roses fruit-and-floral signature at its lightest and cheapest.
- Go with Russell’s Reserve 10 Year if you want an age-stated, oak-forward Wild Turkey with the volume turned down with more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed cocktails, highball, rocks (Four Roses Bourbon); neat, rocks (Russell’s Reserve 10 Year).