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Old Forester 1870 Original Batch vs Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof
Old Forester 1870 Original Batch and Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an old-guard, rye-forward classic versus an undiluted barrel-strength pour.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester 1870 Original Batch | Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill 1 | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 13 years |
| Proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) | 123.8 proof (61.9% ABV) +34 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$45 – $55 ~$200 less | ~$200 – $300 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Limited |
- Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof does 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
Old Forester 1870 Original Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester 1870 Original Batch Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 3/8 heat: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 3 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 8 out of 10
oak 5/8 oak: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 5 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 8 out of 10
spice 4/6 spice: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 4 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 6 out of 10
sweetness 7/8 sweetness: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 7 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 8 out of 10
nuttiness 2/3 nuttiness: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 2 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 3 out of 10
fruit 6/6 fruit: Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 6 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 6 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land very differently on the palate for heat.
- Old Forester 1870 Original Batch: The first bottle in Old Forester's Whiskey Row Series, recreating the founder's habit of blending barrels from three warehouses. It is the lightest of the series, caramel sweet and easy.
- 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 Old Forester 1870 Original Batch if you want the gentlest, most easygoing pour in the Whiskey Row Series at a significantly lower price point and without hunting for it.
- 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, highball (Old Forester 1870 Original Batch); neat (Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof).