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Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof vs Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish
Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof and Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an undiluted barrel-strength pour versus a blender-built, classically built bottling.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof | Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish |
|---|---|---|
| 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) +32 proof | 91.4 proof (45.7% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$200 – $300 | ~$90 – $130 ~$140 less |
- Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof and Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish do not publish an official mash bill.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.
Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 8/4 heat: Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 8 out of 10, Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish 4 out of 10
spice 6/4 spice: Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 6 out of 10, Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish 4 out of 10
fruit 6/5 fruit: Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 6 out of 10, Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 3 out of 10, Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish 4 out of 10
sweetness 8/8 sweetness: Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 8 out of 10, Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish 8 out of 10
oak 8/8 oak: Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 8 out of 10, Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish 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.
- Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish: The standard Michter's bourbon given a second toasted barrel, which adds sweetness and wood to an already polished pour. Genuinely good, though the price has drifted well past what the liquid alone justifies.
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 Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish if you want the smoothest, most polished toasted-barrel pour here and price is not the deciding factor.
Best enjoyed neat (Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof); neat (Michter’s US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish).