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Horse Soldier Barrel Strength vs Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof
Horse Soldier Barrel Strength and Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an uncut, wheat-forward heavyweight versus an undiluted barrel-strength pour.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Horse Soldier Barrel Strength | Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon, Barrel Proof | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill 1 | 70% corn, 20% wheat, 10% malted barley | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 13 years |
| Proof | 111 proof (55.5% ABV) | 123.8 proof (61.9% ABV) +13 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$78 – $85 ~$169 less | ~$200 – $300 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Limited |
- Horse Soldier Barrel Strength and Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof do not publish an official mash bill.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
Horse Soldier Barrel Strength
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Horse Soldier Barrel Strength Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 6/8 oak: Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 6 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 8 out of 10
sweetness 7/8 sweetness: Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 7 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 8 out of 10
spice 5/6 spice: Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 5 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 6 out of 10
fruit 5/6 fruit: Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 5 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 6 out of 10
heat 7/8 heat: Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 7 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 8 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Horse Soldier Barrel Strength 3 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Oak is doing most of the differentiating here.
- Horse Soldier Barrel Strength: A barrel-strength wheater from the veteran-founded Horse Soldier brand. Brown sugar and toasted oak lead, baking spice and heat follow, and a splash of water pulls out darker fruit.
- 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 Horse Soldier Barrel Strength if you want a big, barrel-strength wheated bourbon with plenty of brown sugar and warmth 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.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Horse Soldier Barrel Strength); neat (Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof).