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Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof vs W.L. Weller 12 Year
Put Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof next to W.L. Weller 12 Year and you have a full-proof, unfiltered heavyweight set against a classic, high-wheat stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof | W.L. Weller 12 Year |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | 13 years +1 yr | 12 years |
| Proof | 123.8 proof (61.9% ABV) +34 proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$200 – $300 | ~$70 – $180 ~$125 less |
| Availability | Limited easier to find | Allocated |
- Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof and W.L. Weller 12 Year do not publish an official mash bill.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.
W.L. Weller 12 Year
No notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof W.L. Weller 12 Year
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 8/3 heat: Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 8 out of 10, W.L. Weller 12 Year 3 out of 10
spice 6/2 spice: Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 6 out of 10, W.L. Weller 12 Year 2 out of 10
oak 8/7 oak: Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 8 out of 10, W.L. Weller 12 Year 7 out of 10
sweetness 8/8 sweetness: Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 8 out of 10, W.L. Weller 12 Year 8 out of 10
fruit 6/6 fruit: Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 6 out of 10, W.L. Weller 12 Year 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 3 out of 10, W.L. Weller 12 Year 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land very differently on the palate for heat.
- 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.
- W.L. Weller 12 Year: Twelve years on a wheated mash at a modest 90 proof, which is the combination that made this bottle famous. Deep caramel and baked fruit with polished rather than aggressive oak — the closest widely-discussed analogue to the Pappy profile.
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 without hunting for it and with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
- Go with W.L. Weller 12 Year if you want age and elegance on a wheated mash, and you are willing to chase it at a significantly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat (Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof); neat (W.L. Weller 12 Year).