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Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof vs Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel
Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof and Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an undiluted barrel-strength pour versus an old-guard, classically built classic.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof | Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | 13 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 123.8 proof (61.9% ABV) +30 proof | 94 proof (47% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$200 – $300 | ~$60 – $80 ~$180 less |
- 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
Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 8/4 heat: Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 8 out of 10, Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 4 out of 10
fruit 6/4 fruit: Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 6 out of 10, Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 4 out of 10
nuttiness 3/5 nuttiness: Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 3 out of 10, Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 5 out of 10
spice 6/5 spice: Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 6 out of 10, Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 5 out of 10
oak 8/9 oak: Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 8 out of 10, Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 9 out of 10
sweetness 8/8 sweetness: Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 8 out of 10, Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 8 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Proof and heat dominate the difference.
- 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.
- Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel: Finished in a second toasted (not charred) barrel, which produces an unmistakable toasted-marshmallow note. Sweet and heavily wooded, and one of the more distinctive finishes any major producer makes.
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 Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel if you want a distinctive toasted-oak, marshmallow-sweet finish you will not find in a standard bourbon at a significantly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat (Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof); neat, rocks (Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel).