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Russell’s Reserve 15 Year vs Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof

Comparing Russell’s Reserve 15 Year and Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof is a closer contest than it looks — both are traditional bourbons, separated mainly by price (~$250 – $400 vs. ~$200 – $300).

Key Specifications

Feature Russell’s Reserve 15 Year Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof
Type / Style Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof
Mash Bill 1 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley
Age 15 years +2 yr 13 years
Proof 117.2 proof (58.6% ABV) 123.8 proof (61.9% ABV) +7 proof
Approx. Price 2 ~$250 – $400 ~$200 – $300 ~$75 less
Availability Allocated Limited easier to find
  1. Russell’s Reserve 15 Year and Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof do not publish an official mash bill.
  2. 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.

Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof

Not rated yet

No notes yet.

Flavor Profile

Russell’s Reserve 15 Year Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof
sweetnessspiceoakfruitheatnuttiness

Axis by axis, biggest gap first

sweetness 7/8 sweetness: Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 7 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 8 out of 10
oak 9/8 oak: Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 9 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 8 out of 10
heat 7/8 heat: Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 7 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 8 out of 10
spice 6/6 spice: Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 6 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 6 out of 10
fruit 6/6 fruit: Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 6 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 3 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 3 out of 10

Flavor Profile Differences

These two land close together on every flavor axis — the differences are in texture and proof more than character.

  • 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.
  • 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.

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 an older age statement.
  • Go with Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof if you want an old, uncut Wild Turkey with cola, cobbler and serious oak at a significantly lower price point and without hunting for it.

Best enjoyed neat (Russell’s Reserve 15 Year); neat (Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof).

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