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Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel vs Blanton’s Single Barrel
On paper Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel and Blanton’s Single Barrel are near neighbours — both high-rye bourbons — so price (~$55 – $70 vs. ~$80 – $150) is what actually decides it.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel | Blanton’s Single Barrel |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley | 75% corn, 15% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 110 proof (55% ABV) +17 proof | 93 proof (46.5% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$55 – $70 ~$53 less | ~$80 – $150 |
| Availability | Limited easier to find | Allocated |
- Blanton’s Single Barrel does not publish an official mash bill.
- 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.
Blanton’s Single Barrel
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel Blanton’s Single Barrel
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 7/4 heat: Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 7 out of 10, Blanton’s Single Barrel 4 out of 10
spice 8/6 spice: Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 8 out of 10, Blanton’s Single Barrel 6 out of 10
oak 8/6 oak: Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 8 out of 10, Blanton’s Single Barrel 6 out of 10
fruit 4/6 fruit: Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 4 out of 10, Blanton’s Single Barrel 6 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 6 out of 10, Blanton’s Single Barrel 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 3 out of 10, Blanton’s Single Barrel 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Proof and heat dominate the difference.
- 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.
- Blanton’s Single Barrel: The bottle that invented the single-barrel category and still trades largely on its horse-stopper cork and its scarcity. The whiskey itself is genuinely good — honeyed and citrus-led with nutmeg spice — but at secondary prices you are paying for the bottle as much as the pour.
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 at a significantly lower price point.
- Go with Blanton’s Single Barrel if you want the original single-barrel presentation and a honeyed, citrus-led profile, and the hunt is part of the appeal.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel); neat, rocks (Blanton’s Single Barrel).