BourbonCompare

Compare

Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof vs Russell’s Reserve 15 Year

Comparing Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof and Russell’s Reserve 15 Year is a closer contest than it looks — both are traditional bourbons, separated mainly by price (~$200 – $300 vs. ~$250 – $400).

Key Specifications

Feature Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof Russell’s Reserve 15 Year
Type / Style Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof
Mash Bill 1 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley
Age 13 years 15 years +2 yr
Proof 123.8 proof (61.9% ABV) +7 proof 117.2 proof (58.6% ABV)
Approx. Price 2 ~$200 – $300 ~$75 less ~$250 – $400
Availability Limited easier to find Allocated
  1. Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof and Russell’s Reserve 15 Year do not publish an official mash bill.
  2. 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 yet

No notes yet.

Russell’s Reserve 15 Year

One of my favorites.

Flavor Profile

Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof Russell’s Reserve 15 Year
sweetnessspiceoakfruitheatnuttiness

Axis by axis, biggest gap first

sweetness 8/7 sweetness: Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 8 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 7 out of 10
oak 8/9 oak: Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 8 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 9 out of 10
heat 8/7 heat: Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 8 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 7 out of 10
spice 6/6 spice: Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 6 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 6 out of 10
fruit 6/6 fruit: Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 6 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 3 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 3 out of 10

Flavor Profile Differences

These two land close together on every flavor axis — the differences are in texture and proof more than character.

  • 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.
  • Russell’s Reserve 15 Year: The oldest regular Russell's Reserve, at barrel proof. Fifteen years in Camp Nelson rickhouses push it toward old oak, leather and dried fruit over the usual Turkey 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 at a significantly lower price point and without hunting for it.
  • Go with Russell’s Reserve 15 Year if you want a very old, oak-heavy Wild Turkey for slow sipping with an older age statement.

Best enjoyed neat (Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof); neat (Russell’s Reserve 15 Year).

More on Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof More on Russell’s Reserve 15 Year Browse all bourbons