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Michter's US*1 Small Batch vs Russell’s Reserve 15 Year
Michter's US*1 Small Batch and Russell’s Reserve 15 Year sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: a sourced, classically built blend versus an undiluted barrel-strength pour.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Michter's US*1 Small Batch | 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 | 91.4 proof (45.7% ABV) | 117.2 proof (58.6% ABV) +26 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$45 – $55 ~$275 less | ~$250 – $400 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Allocated |
- Michter's US*1 Small Batch and Russell’s Reserve 15 Year do not publish an official mash bill.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
Michter's US*1 Small Batch
No notes yet.
Russell’s Reserve 15 Year
One of my favorites.
Flavor Profile
Michter's US*1 Small Batch Russell’s Reserve 15 Year
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 5/9 oak: Michter's US*1 Small Batch 5 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 9 out of 10
heat 3/7 heat: Michter's US*1 Small Batch 3 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 7 out of 10
spice 4/6 spice: Michter's US*1 Small Batch 4 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 6 out of 10
fruit 5/6 fruit: Michter's US*1 Small Batch 5 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 6 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Michter's US*1 Small Batch 4 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 3 out of 10
sweetness 7/7 sweetness: Michter's US*1 Small Batch 7 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 7 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Barrel influence is the main separator.
- Michter's US*1 Small Batch: Polished and easy-drinking, with butterscotch and stone fruit and very little rough edge. What you pay for is refinement and mouthfeel rather than age or proof.
- 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 Michter's US*1 Small Batch if you want a smooth, polished pour with a premium feel and no rough edges at a significantly lower price point and without hunting for it.
- 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 (Michter's US*1 Small Batch); neat (Russell’s Reserve 15 Year).