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Russell’s Reserve 15 Year vs Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond
Put Russell’s Reserve 15 Year next to Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond and you have a full-proof, unfiltered heavyweight set against a classic, high-wheat stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Russell’s Reserve 15 Year | Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley | 68% corn, 20% wheat, 12% malted barley |
| Age | 15 years +6 yr | 9 years |
| Proof | 117.2 proof (58.6% ABV) +17 proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$250 – $400 | ~$110 – $180 ~$180 less |
- 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.
Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Russell’s Reserve 15 Year Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 6/2 spice: Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 6 out of 10, Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 2 out of 10
heat 7/4 heat: Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 7 out of 10, Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10
oak 9/7 oak: Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 9 out of 10, Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10
sweetness 7/8 sweetness: Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 7 out of 10, Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 8 out of 10
fruit 6/6 fruit: Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 6 out of 10, Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 3 out of 10, Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Rye spice is the dividing line here.
- 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.
- Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond: The decanter series, released twice a year at varying ages, and Heaven Hill's most serious wheated statement. Age shows as polished oak and stewed fruit rather than tannin, but you pay handsomely for the bottle.
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 more proof behind it and with an older age statement.
- Go with Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond if you want an aged, bonded wheater in a presentation bottle and the price is not the obstacle.
Best enjoyed neat (Russell’s Reserve 15 Year); neat (Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond).