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Jefferson's Reserve Very Old vs Russell’s Reserve 15 Year
Comparing Jefferson's Reserve Very Old and Russell’s Reserve 15 Year reveals a matchup between a sourced, even-keeled blend and an uncut, cask-strength bruiser.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Jefferson's Reserve Very Old | Russell’s Reserve 15 Year |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 15 years |
| Proof | 90.2 proof (45.1% ABV) | 117.2 proof (58.6% ABV) +27 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$55 – $65 ~$265 less | ~$250 – $400 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Allocated |
- Jefferson's Reserve Very Old and Russell’s Reserve 15 Year do not publish an official mash bill.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
Jefferson's Reserve Very Old
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Russell’s Reserve 15 Year
One of my favorites.
Flavor Profile
Jefferson's Reserve Very Old Russell’s Reserve 15 Year
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 4/7 heat: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 4 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 7 out of 10
oak 7/9 oak: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 7 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 9 out of 10
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 6 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 7 out of 10
spice 5/6 spice: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 5 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 6 out of 10
fruit 6/6 fruit: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 6 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Jefferson's Reserve Very Old 3 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Proof and heat dominate the difference.
- Jefferson's Reserve Very Old: The older, drier sibling of Jefferson's Very Small Batch. Buttery toffee and dried fruit sit on a firm, slightly smoky oak backbone, and the finish turns peppery and long.
- Russell’s Reserve 15 Year: The oldest regular Russell's Reserve, at barrel proof. Fifteen years in Camp Nelson rickhouses push it toward old oak, leather and dried fruit over the usual Turkey spice.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Jefferson's Reserve Very Old if you want a mature, oak-driven blend with dried fruit and a dry, peppery finish at an easy proof at a significantly lower price point.
- Go with Russell’s Reserve 15 Year if you want a very old, oak-heavy Wild Turkey for slow sipping with significantly more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Jefferson's Reserve Very Old); neat (Russell’s Reserve 15 Year).