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Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof vs W.L. Weller Special Reserve
Put Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof next to W.L. Weller Special Reserve 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 Special Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof | Wheated Bourbon |
| 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) +34 proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$200 – $300 | ~$30 – $60 ~$205 less |
| Availability | Limited easier to find | Allocated |
- Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof and W.L. Weller Special Reserve do not publish an official mash bill.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 Special Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof W.L. Weller Special Reserve
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 8/3 heat: Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 8 out of 10, W.L. Weller Special Reserve 3 out of 10
spice 6/2 spice: Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 6 out of 10, W.L. Weller Special Reserve 2 out of 10
oak 8/4 oak: Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 8 out of 10, W.L. Weller Special Reserve 4 out of 10
sweetness 8/7 sweetness: Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 8 out of 10, W.L. Weller Special Reserve 7 out of 10
fruit 6/5 fruit: Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 6 out of 10, W.L. Weller Special Reserve 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 3 out of 10, W.L. Weller Special Reserve 3 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.
- W.L. Weller Special Reserve: The entry point to the Weller line and an easy introduction to wheated bourbon. Soft honey and vanilla with almost no rye bite, a bread-dough body, and a short, sweet finish that asks nothing of you.
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 Special Reserve if you want the softest, sweetest, most approachable wheated pour of the group at a significantly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat (Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof); neat, rocks, highball (W.L. Weller Special Reserve).