Compare
Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof vs Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond
Put Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof next to Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond and you have a full-proof, unfiltered heavyweight set against a classic, high-rye stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof | Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | 13 years +9 yr | 4 years |
| 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.
Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 8/5 heat: Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 8 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
sweetness 8/7 sweetness: Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 8 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10
oak 8/7 oak: Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 8 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10
fruit 6/5 fruit: Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 6 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
spice 6/6 spice: Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 6 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 3 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 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.
- Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond: The bonded entry in the Whiskey Row series and a noticeable step up in density from the standard 100. More oak and more weight, though the price gap to the 100 proof is harder to justify than the flavour gap suggests.
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 an older age statement and with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
- Go with Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond if you want a bonded, denser take on the Old Forester profile with more barrel behind it at a significantly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat (Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof); neat, old-fashioned (Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond).