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Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof vs Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond
Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof and Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an undiluted barrel-strength pour versus an old-guard, classically built classic.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof | Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | 13 years +9 yr | 4 years |
| Proof | 123.8 proof (61.9% ABV) +24 proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$200 – $300 | ~$16 – $22 ~$231 less |
| Availability | Limited | Widely available easier to find |
- Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof and Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond do not publish an official mash bill.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.
Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 8/5 oak: Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 8 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
heat 8/5 heat: Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 8 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
sweetness 8/6 sweetness: Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 8 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10
fruit 6/4 fruit: Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 6 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10
spice 6/5 spice: Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 6 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 3 out of 10, Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Barrel influence is the main separator.
- 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.
- Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond: A bonded 100-proof bourbon at a price that barely seems possible, though distribution is patchy outside Kentucky. Unremarkable in the best way: it does everything a bourbon should and nothing extra.
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 Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond if you want a bonded Kentucky bourbon for under twenty dollars, if you can find it in your state.
Best enjoyed neat (Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof); neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond).