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Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof vs Stellum Bourbon
Comparing Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof and Stellum Bourbon is a closer contest than it looks — both are traditional bourbons, separated mainly by price (~$200 – $300 vs. ~$45 – $55).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof | Stellum Bourbon |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | 13 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 123.8 proof (61.9% ABV) +9 proof | 115 proof (57.5% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$200 – $300 | ~$45 – $55 ~$200 less |
| Availability | Limited | Widely available easier to find |
- Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof and Stellum Bourbon do not publish an official mash bill.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.
Stellum Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof Stellum Bourbon
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 8/6 sweetness: Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 8 out of 10, Stellum Bourbon 6 out of 10
oak 8/6 oak: Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 8 out of 10, Stellum Bourbon 6 out of 10
fruit 6/4 fruit: Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 6 out of 10, Stellum Bourbon 4 out of 10
spice 6/7 spice: Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 6 out of 10, Stellum Bourbon 7 out of 10
heat 8/7 heat: Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 8 out of 10, Stellum Bourbon 7 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 3 out of 10, Stellum Bourbon 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Sweetness is where these two part ways.
- 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.
- Stellum Bourbon: Barrell's lower-priced, cask-strength line. It drinks gentler than its proof, with vanilla and caramel on top of cinnamon, clove and a long, spicy finish.
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 Stellum Bourbon if you want a cask-strength, multi-state blend that drinks easier than its proof at a significantly lower price point and without hunting for it.
Best enjoyed neat (Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof); neat, old-fashioned (Stellum Bourbon).