Compare
Old Grand-Dad 114 vs Russell’s Reserve 15 Year
Comparing Old Grand-Dad 114 and Russell’s Reserve 15 Year reveals a matchup between a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple and an uncut, cask-strength bruiser.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Grand-Dad 114 | Russell’s Reserve 15 Year |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill 1 | 63% corn, 27% rye, 10% malted barley | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 15 years |
| Proof | 114 proof (57% ABV) | 117.2 proof (58.6% ABV) +3 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$28 – $35 ~$294 less | ~$250 – $400 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Allocated |
- Old Grand-Dad 114 and Russell’s Reserve 15 Year do not publish an official mash bill.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
Old Grand-Dad 114
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Russell’s Reserve 15 Year
One of my favorites.
Flavor Profile
Old Grand-Dad 114 Russell’s Reserve 15 Year
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 9/6 spice: Old Grand-Dad 114 9 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 6 out of 10
oak 6/9 oak: Old Grand-Dad 114 6 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 9 out of 10
fruit 4/6 fruit: Old Grand-Dad 114 4 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 6 out of 10
nuttiness 5/3 nuttiness: Old Grand-Dad 114 5 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 3 out of 10
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: Old Grand-Dad 114 6 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 7 out of 10
heat 8/7 heat: Old Grand-Dad 114 8 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 7 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Rye spice is the dividing line here.
- Old Grand-Dad 114: The best proof-per-dollar in American whiskey and it is not especially close. The 27% rye mash at 114 proof is loud, peppery and completely unsubtle, which is exactly why it makes such a good old-fashioned.
- 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 Old Grand-Dad 114 if you want maximum rye spice and proof for under thirty dollars 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 the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned, cocktails (Old Grand-Dad 114); neat (Russell’s Reserve 15 Year).