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Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof vs Stagg
Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof and Stagg are cut from similar cloth: two takes on traditional bourbons, where the real difference is price (~$200 – $300 vs. ~$70 – $120).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof | Stagg |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | 13 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 123.8 proof (61.9% ABV) | 130 proof (65% ABV) +6 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$200 – $300 | ~$70 – $120 ~$155 less |
- Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof and Stagg do not publish an official mash bill.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.
Stagg
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof Stagg
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 8/10 heat: Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 8 out of 10, Stagg 10 out of 10
sweetness 8/7 sweetness: Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 8 out of 10, Stagg 7 out of 10
spice 6/7 spice: Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 6 out of 10, Stagg 7 out of 10
oak 8/9 oak: Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 8 out of 10, Stagg 9 out of 10
fruit 6/5 fruit: Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 6 out of 10, Stagg 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 3 out of 10, Stagg 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Proof and heat dominate the difference.
- 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.
- Stagg: Uncut and unfiltered Buffalo Trace at a proof that demands respect. Dark chocolate, espresso and charred oak arrive with genuine heat, and a few drops of water unlock a surprising amount of fruit.
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 Stagg if you want the biggest, hottest, most concentrated expression of the Buffalo Trace profile at a significantly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat (Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof); neat (Stagg).