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Russell’s Reserve 10 Year vs Old Forester 1870 Original Batch
Comparing Russell’s Reserve 10 Year and Old Forester 1870 Original Batch is a closer contest than it looks — both are high-rye bourbons, separated mainly by price (~$40 – $50 vs. ~$45 – $55).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Russell’s Reserve 10 Year | Old Forester 1870 Original Batch |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | 10 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) | 90 proof (45% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$40 – $50 ~$5 less | ~$45 – $55 |
- 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.
Old Forester 1870 Original Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Russell’s Reserve 10 Year Old Forester 1870 Original Batch
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 8/5 oak: Russell’s Reserve 10 Year 8 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 5 out of 10
spice 6/4 spice: Russell’s Reserve 10 Year 6 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 4 out of 10
fruit 4/6 fruit: Russell’s Reserve 10 Year 4 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 6 out of 10
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: Russell’s Reserve 10 Year 6 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 7 out of 10
heat 4/3 heat: Russell’s Reserve 10 Year 4 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 3 out of 10
nuttiness 3/2 nuttiness: Russell’s Reserve 10 Year 3 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 2 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Barrel influence is the main separator.
- 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.
- Old Forester 1870 Original Batch: The first bottle in Old Forester's Whiskey Row Series, recreating the founder's habit of blending barrels from three warehouses. It is the lightest of the series, caramel sweet and easy.
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 at a slightly lower price point.
- Go with Old Forester 1870 Original Batch if you want the gentlest, most easygoing pour in the Whiskey Row Series.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Russell’s Reserve 10 Year); neat, rocks, highball (Old Forester 1870 Original Batch).