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Russell’s Reserve 10 Year vs Ancient Age
On paper Russell’s Reserve 10 Year and Ancient Age are near neighbours — both high-rye bourbons — so price (~$40 – $50 vs. ~$14 – $18) is what actually decides it.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Russell’s Reserve 10 Year | Ancient Age |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley | 75% corn, 15% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | 10 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) +10 proof | 80 proof (40% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$40 – $50 | ~$14 – $18 ~$29 less |
- Ancient Age 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
Russell’s Reserve 10 Year
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Ancient Age
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Russell’s Reserve 10 Year Ancient Age
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 8/3 oak: Russell’s Reserve 10 Year 8 out of 10, Ancient Age 3 out of 10
spice 6/4 spice: Russell’s Reserve 10 Year 6 out of 10, Ancient Age 4 out of 10
heat 4/2 heat: Russell’s Reserve 10 Year 4 out of 10, Ancient Age 2 out of 10
sweetness 6/5 sweetness: Russell’s Reserve 10 Year 6 out of 10, Ancient Age 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: Russell’s Reserve 10 Year 3 out of 10, Ancient Age 4 out of 10
fruit 4/4 fruit: Russell’s Reserve 10 Year 4 out of 10, Ancient Age 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Oak is doing most of the differentiating here.
- 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.
- Ancient Age: The bottom rung of the Buffalo Trace ladder and priced accordingly. Thin and simple at 80 proof, but it is recognisably the Mash Bill #2 recipe and it does its job in a highball without complaint.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Russell’s Reserve 10 Year if you want an age-stated, oak-forward Wild Turkey with the volume turned down with more proof behind it.
- Go with Ancient Age if you want the cheapest honest mixer in the lineup and you are not drinking it neat.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Russell’s Reserve 10 Year); cocktails, highball (Ancient Age).