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Russell’s Reserve 15 Year vs Four Roses Small Batch
Comparing Russell’s Reserve 15 Year and Four Roses Small Batch reveals a matchup between an uncut, cask-strength bruiser and a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Russell’s Reserve 15 Year | Four Roses Small Batch |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley | 75% corn, 20% rye, 5% malted barley |
| Age | 15 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 117.2 proof (58.6% ABV) +27 proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$250 – $400 | ~$32 – $38 ~$290 less |
| Availability | Allocated | Widely available easier to find |
- Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 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 15 Year
One of my favorites.
Four Roses Small Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Russell’s Reserve 15 Year Four Roses Small Batch
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 9/5 oak: Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 9 out of 10, Four Roses Small Batch 5 out of 10
heat 7/4 heat: Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 7 out of 10, Four Roses Small Batch 4 out of 10
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 7 out of 10, Four Roses Small Batch 6 out of 10
fruit 6/7 fruit: Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 6 out of 10, Four Roses Small Batch 7 out of 10
spice 6/6 spice: Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 6 out of 10, Four Roses Small Batch 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 3 out of 10, Four Roses Small Batch 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Barrel influence is the main separator.
- Russell’s Reserve 15 Year: The oldest regular Russell's Reserve, at barrel proof. Fifteen years in Camp Nelson rickhouses push it toward old oak, leather and dried fruit over the usual Turkey spice.
- Four Roses Small Batch: Four Roses' yeast strains push this toward fruit and florals rather than wood. Red berry and cinnamon over a light body, with the rye showing up as brightness instead of bite.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Russell’s Reserve 15 Year if you want a very old, oak-heavy Wild Turkey for slow sipping with significantly more proof behind it and with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
- Go with Four Roses Small Batch if you want a fruit-and-floral profile that stands apart from the usual caramel-and-oak template at a significantly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat (Russell’s Reserve 15 Year); neat, rocks, cocktails (Four Roses Small Batch).