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Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof vs Jack Daniel’s 12 Year
Put Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof next to Jack Daniel’s 12 Year and you have a full-proof, unfiltered heavyweight set against a classic, corn-forward stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof | Jack Daniel’s 12 Year |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof | Traditional Tennessee Whiskey |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley | 80% corn, 8% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | 13 years +1 yr | 12 years |
| Proof | 123.8 proof (61.9% ABV) +17 proof | 107 proof (53.5% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$200 – $300 | ~$80 – $120 ~$150 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.
Jack Daniel’s 12 Year
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof Jack Daniel’s 12 Year
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 8/6 heat: Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 8 out of 10, Jack Daniel’s 12 Year 6 out of 10
spice 6/5 spice: Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 6 out of 10, Jack Daniel’s 12 Year 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 3 out of 10, Jack Daniel’s 12 Year 4 out of 10
sweetness 8/8 sweetness: Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 8 out of 10, Jack Daniel’s 12 Year 8 out of 10
oak 8/8 oak: Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 8 out of 10, Jack Daniel’s 12 Year 8 out of 10
fruit 6/6 fruit: Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 6 out of 10, Jack Daniel’s 12 Year 6 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.
- Jack Daniel’s 12 Year: Twelve-year Jack Daniel's at 107 proof. Sweet and creamy, with butterscotch, pipe tobacco and seasoned oak.
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.
- Go with Jack Daniel’s 12 Year if you want a sweet, creamy, well-aged Jack Daniel's with pipe tobacco and oak at a significantly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat (Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof); neat, rocks (Jack Daniel’s 12 Year).