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Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year vs Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof
Put Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year next to Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof and you have an uncut, high-rye heavyweight set against a full-proof, unfiltered heavyweight.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year | Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon, Barrel Proof | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill 1 | 70% corn, 25% rye, 5% malted barley | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | 7 years | 13 years +6 yr |
| Proof | 115.2 proof (57.6% ABV) | 123.8 proof (61.9% ABV) +9 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$60 – $65 ~$188 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
Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof
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Flavor Profile
Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 7/8 sweetness: Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 7 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 8 out of 10
spice 7/6 spice: Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 7 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 6 out of 10
oak 7/8 oak: Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 7 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 8 out of 10
fruit 5/6 fruit: Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 5 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 6 out of 10
heat 8/8 heat: Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 8 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 8 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year 3 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land close together on every flavor axis — the differences are in texture and proof more than character.
- Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year: Penelope's uncut flagship, now with a seven-year age statement. It is richer and spicier than the Four Grain, with caramel and rye spice carried by a lot of proof.
- 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 Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year if you want a well-priced, seven-year, uncut blend with real depth and spice 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 an older age statement.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Penelope Barrel Strength 7 Year); neat (Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof).