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Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof vs Four Roses Single Barrel
Comparing Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof and Four Roses Single Barrel reveals a matchup between an uncut, cask-strength bruiser and a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof | Four Roses Single Barrel |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley | 60% corn, 35% rye, 5% malted barley |
| Age | 13 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 123.8 proof (61.9% ABV) +24 proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$200 – $300 | ~$45 – $55 ~$200 less |
| Availability | Limited | Widely available easier to find |
- 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.
Four Roses Single Barrel
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof Four Roses Single Barrel
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 8/6 sweetness: Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 8 out of 10, Four Roses Single Barrel 6 out of 10
spice 6/8 spice: Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 6 out of 10, Four Roses Single Barrel 8 out of 10
oak 8/6 oak: Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 8 out of 10, Four Roses Single Barrel 6 out of 10
heat 8/6 heat: Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 8 out of 10, Four Roses Single Barrel 6 out of 10
fruit 6/7 fruit: Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 6 out of 10, Four Roses Single Barrel 7 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 3 out of 10, Four Roses Single Barrel 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The clearest split is how sweet each one drinks.
- 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.
- Four Roses Single Barrel: The OBSV recipe on its own at 100 proof — the highest-rye mash Four Roses uses, paired with their most floral yeast. Cherry and clove in equal measure, and a genuinely distinctive glass.
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 Four Roses Single Barrel if you want the most expressive, spice-and-fruit-forward single recipe in the Four Roses range at a significantly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat (Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof); neat, old-fashioned (Four Roses Single Barrel).