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Russell’s Reserve 15 Year vs Stellum Bourbon
Comparing Russell’s Reserve 15 Year and Stellum Bourbon is a closer contest than it looks — both are traditional bourbons, separated mainly by price (~$250 – $400 vs. ~$45 – $55).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Russell’s Reserve 15 Year | Stellum Bourbon |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | 15 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 117.2 proof (58.6% ABV) +2 proof | 115 proof (57.5% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$250 – $400 | ~$45 – $55 ~$275 less |
| Availability | Allocated | Widely available easier to find |
- Russell’s Reserve 15 Year and Stellum Bourbon do not publish an official mash bill.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 15 Year
One of my favorites.
Stellum Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Russell’s Reserve 15 Year Stellum Bourbon
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 9/6 oak: Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 9 out of 10, Stellum Bourbon 6 out of 10
fruit 6/4 fruit: Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 6 out of 10, Stellum Bourbon 4 out of 10
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 7 out of 10, Stellum Bourbon 6 out of 10
spice 6/7 spice: Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 6 out of 10, Stellum Bourbon 7 out of 10
heat 7/7 heat: Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 7 out of 10, Stellum Bourbon 7 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 3 out of 10, Stellum Bourbon 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.
- Stellum Bourbon: Barrell's lower-priced, cask-strength line. It drinks gentler than its proof, with vanilla and caramel on top of cinnamon, clove and a long, spicy finish.
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.
- Go with Stellum Bourbon if you want a cask-strength, multi-state blend that drinks easier than its proof at a significantly lower price point and without hunting for it.
Best enjoyed neat (Russell’s Reserve 15 Year); neat, old-fashioned (Stellum Bourbon).