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Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel vs Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat
Comparing Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel and Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat reveals a matchup between a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple and a modern, wheated craft expression.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel | Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley | 53% corn, 39% wheat, 8% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 6 years |
| Proof | 110 proof (55% ABV) +4 proof | 106 proof (53% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$55 – $70 | ~$50 – $55 ~$10 less |
| Availability | Limited | Widely available easier to find |
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 8/3 spice: Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 8 out of 10, Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat 3 out of 10
fruit 4/8 fruit: Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 4 out of 10, Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat 8 out of 10
oak 8/5 oak: Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 8 out of 10, Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat 5 out of 10
heat 7/5 heat: Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 7 out of 10, Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat 5 out of 10
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 6 out of 10, Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat 7 out of 10
nuttiness 3/2 nuttiness: Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 3 out of 10, Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat 2 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Rye spice is the dividing line here.
- Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel: Non-chill-filtered single barrels at 110 proof, and the format that store picks have made a cult of. Concentrated Wild Turkey character with a texture the standard bottlings do not have.
- Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat: Because wheat makes up a massive 39% of the mash bill, this pour trades the aggressive spice of rye for a softer, oily mouthfeel. Expect bright fruit notes like ripe apricot and lemon on the nose, transitioning to pastry dough, light oak, and a creamy creme brulee sweetness balanced by a mild peppery backbone.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel if you want concentrated Wild Turkey character with single-barrel variation and real texture.
- Go with Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat if you want a softer, fruit-forward, contemporary profile with a richer, oily texture and lower emphasis on traditional oak at a slightly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel); neat, rocks (Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat).