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Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof vs Smooth Ambler Old Scout
Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof and Smooth Ambler Old Scout sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an undiluted barrel-strength pour versus a sourced, rye-forward blend.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof | Smooth Ambler Old Scout |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley | 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley |
| Age | 13 years +8 yr | 5 years |
| Proof | 123.8 proof (61.9% ABV) +25 proof | 99 proof (49.5% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$200 – $300 | ~$40 – $50 ~$205 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.
Smooth Ambler Old Scout
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof Smooth Ambler Old Scout
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 8/5 sweetness: Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 8 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5 out of 10
oak 8/6 oak: Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 8 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 6 out of 10
heat 8/6 heat: Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 8 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 6 out of 10
spice 6/7 spice: Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 6 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 7 out of 10
fruit 6/5 fruit: Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 6 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 3 out of 10, Smooth Ambler Old Scout 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The clearest split is how sweet each one drinks.
- 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.
- Smooth Ambler Old Scout: Sourced MGP bourbon selected and bottled in West Virginia, and one of the more honest sourced brands about exactly what it is. The characteristic MGP dill-and-pepper signature, cleanly presented.
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 Smooth Ambler Old Scout if you want the classic MGP high-rye profile from a bottler that has always been upfront about sourcing at a significantly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat (Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof); neat, old-fashioned, cocktails (Smooth Ambler Old Scout).