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Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof vs Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series
Comparing Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof and Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series reveals a matchup between an uncut, cask-strength bruiser and a modern, even-keeled craft expression.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof | Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | 13 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 123.8 proof (61.9% ABV) +25 proof | 98.9 proof (49.5% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$200 – $300 | ~$55 – $70 ~$188 less |
| Availability | Limited | Widely available easier to find |
- Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof and Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series do not publish an official mash bill.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
Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 8/5 heat: Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 8 out of 10, Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series 5 out of 10
oak 8/6 oak: Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 8 out of 10, Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series 6 out of 10
sweetness 8/7 sweetness: Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 8 out of 10, Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series 7 out of 10
spice 6/5 spice: Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 6 out of 10, Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series 5 out of 10
fruit 6/6 fruit: Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 6 out of 10, Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 3 out of 10, Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land very differently on the palate for heat.
- 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.
- Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series: A blend of Bardstown's own young distillate with older sourced Kentucky whiskey, which is exactly what the name describes. Polished and fruit-leaning, and a clear demonstration that the blending is the skill on show.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof if you want an old, uncut Wild Turkey with cola, cobbler and serious oak with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
- Go with Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series if you want a well-built modern blend that shows what careful blending does rather than what age alone does at a significantly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat (Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof); neat, rocks (Bardstown Bourbon Company Fusion Series).