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Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof vs Penelope Architect
Comparing Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof and Penelope Architect reveals a matchup between an uncut, cask-strength bruiser and a blender-built, even-keeled bottling.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof | Penelope Architect |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof | Four-Grain Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley | 75% corn, 7% rye, 15% wheat, 3% malted barley |
| Age | 13 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 123.8 proof (61.9% ABV) +20 proof | 104 proof (52% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$200 – $300 | ~$60 – $70 ~$185 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
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Penelope Architect
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Flavor Profile
Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof Penelope Architect
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 8/5 oak: Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 8 out of 10, Penelope Architect 5 out of 10
heat 8/6 heat: Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 8 out of 10, Penelope Architect 6 out of 10
sweetness 8/7 sweetness: Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 8 out of 10, Penelope Architect 7 out of 10
spice 6/6 spice: Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 6 out of 10, Penelope Architect 6 out of 10
fruit 6/6 fruit: Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 6 out of 10, Penelope Architect 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 3 out of 10, Penelope Architect 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Barrel influence is the main separator.
- 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.
- Penelope Architect: Penelope's four-grain blend finished with French oak staves chosen for their tannin. The French oak adds berry, cherry and warm spice to a vanilla-heavy base.
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 Penelope Architect if you want a four-grain bourbon with a French oak finish that adds berries and warm spice at a significantly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat (Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof); neat, old-fashioned (Penelope Architect).