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Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof vs Woodford Reserve
Comparing Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof and Woodford Reserve reveals a matchup between an uncut, cask-strength bruiser and a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof | Woodford Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | 13 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 123.8 proof (61.9% ABV) +33 proof | 90.4 proof (45.2% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$200 – $300 | ~$35 – $42 ~$212 less |
| Availability | Limited | Widely available easier to find |
- Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof does 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.
Woodford Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof Woodford Reserve
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 8/4 heat: Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 8 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 4 out of 10
sweetness 8/6 sweetness: Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 8 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10
oak 8/6 oak: Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 8 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10
spice 6/6 spice: Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 6 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10
fruit 6/6 fruit: Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 6 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 3 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 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.
- Woodford Reserve: The most widely poured premium bourbon in America, and a genuinely well-made one. Dried fruit and cocoa over a balanced 18% rye mash, finished smooth enough to please almost anyone.
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 the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
- Go with Woodford Reserve if you want a polished, widely available crowd-pleaser that never puts a foot wrong at a significantly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat (Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof); neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Woodford Reserve).