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Old Forester Statesman vs Russell’s Reserve 10 Year
Old Forester Statesman and Russell’s Reserve 10 Year are cut from similar cloth: two takes on high-rye bourbons, where the real difference is proof (95 vs. 90).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester Statesman | Russell’s Reserve 10 Year |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 10 years |
| Proof | 95 proof (47.5% ABV) +5 proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$50 – $55 | ~$40 – $50 ~$8 less |
- US shelf prices as of 2026-10; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Old Forester Statesman
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Russell’s Reserve 10 Year
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester Statesman Russell’s Reserve 10 Year
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 5/8 oak: Old Forester Statesman 5 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 10 Year 8 out of 10
fruit 7/4 fruit: Old Forester Statesman 7 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 10 Year 4 out of 10
sweetness 8/6 sweetness: Old Forester Statesman 8 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 10 Year 6 out of 10
spice 5/6 spice: Old Forester Statesman 5 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 10 Year 6 out of 10
nuttiness 2/3 nuttiness: Old Forester Statesman 2 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 10 Year 3 out of 10
heat 4/4 heat: Old Forester Statesman 4 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 10 Year 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Barrel influence is the main separator.
- Old Forester Statesman: Old Forester's fruit-forward middle child, first made for a spy movie tie-in. Bright cherry and brown sugar lead, with cocoa and a touch of the house banana note.
- Russell’s Reserve 10 Year: Ten years of Wild Turkey at a restrained 90 proof, which trades the 101's punch for polish. More oak and more composure, and one of the better age-stated bottles at its price.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Old Forester Statesman if you want a bright, cherry-sweet Old Forester that sits between the 100 and 1920 in weight.
- Go with Russell’s Reserve 10 Year if you want an age-stated, oak-forward Wild Turkey with the volume turned down at a slightly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned (Old Forester Statesman); neat, rocks (Russell’s Reserve 10 Year).