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Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond vs Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof
Put Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond next to Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof and you have a classic, high-rye stalwart set against a full-proof, unfiltered heavyweight.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond | 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 | 4 years | 13 years +9 yr |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 123.8 proof (61.9% ABV) +24 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 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 5/8 heat: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 8 out of 10
sweetness 7/8 sweetness: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 8 out of 10
oak 7/8 oak: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 8 out of 10
fruit 5/6 fruit: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 6 out of 10
spice 6/6 spice: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 3 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land very differently on the palate for heat.
- Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond: The bonded entry in the Whiskey Row series and a noticeable step up in density from the standard 100. More oak and more weight, though the price gap to the 100 proof is harder to justify than the flavour gap suggests.
- 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 1897 Bottled-in-Bond if you want a bonded, denser take on the Old Forester profile with more barrel behind it 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 with an older age statement and with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond); neat (Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof).