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Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof vs Penelope Rio
Put Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof next to Penelope Rio and you have a full-proof, unfiltered heavyweight set against a sourced, corn-forward blend.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof | Penelope Rio |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof | Four-Grain Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley | 74% corn, 7% rye, 16% wheat, 3% malted barley |
| Age | 13 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 123.8 proof (61.9% ABV) +26 proof | 98 proof (49% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$200 – $300 | ~$80 – $100 ~$160 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.
Penelope Rio
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof Penelope Rio
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 8/4 oak: Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 8 out of 10, Penelope Rio 4 out of 10
heat 8/5 heat: Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 8 out of 10, Penelope Rio 5 out of 10
sweetness 8/9 sweetness: Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 8 out of 10, Penelope Rio 9 out of 10
spice 6/6 spice: Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 6 out of 10, Penelope Rio 6 out of 10
fruit 6/6 fruit: Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 6 out of 10, Penelope Rio 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 3 out of 10, Penelope Rio 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Oak is doing most of the differentiating here.
- 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 Rio: Penelope's four-grain blend finished in honey barrels and then amburana wood. It tastes like a cinnamon roll: honey, gingerbread and sweet baking spice.
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 Rio if you want a honey-and-amburana-finished bourbon that tastes like a cinnamon roll at a significantly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat (Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof); neat, old-fashioned (Penelope Rio).