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Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel vs Four Roses Single Barrel
Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel and Four Roses Single Barrel are cut from similar cloth: two takes on high-rye bourbons, where the real difference is proof (110 vs. 100).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel | Four Roses Single Barrel |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley | 60% corn, 35% rye, 5% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 110 proof (55% ABV) +10 proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$55 – $70 | ~$45 – $55 ~$13 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.
Four Roses Single Barrel
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel Four Roses Single Barrel
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 4/7 fruit: Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 4 out of 10, Four Roses Single Barrel 7 out of 10
oak 8/6 oak: Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 8 out of 10, Four Roses Single Barrel 6 out of 10
heat 7/6 heat: Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 7 out of 10, Four Roses Single Barrel 6 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 6 out of 10, Four Roses Single Barrel 6 out of 10
spice 8/8 spice: Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 8 out of 10, Four Roses Single Barrel 8 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 3 out of 10, Four Roses Single Barrel 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Fruit character is what sets these apart.
- 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.
- Four Roses Single Barrel: The OBSV recipe on its own at 100 proof — the highest-rye mash Four Roses uses, paired with their most floral yeast. Cherry and clove in equal measure, and a genuinely distinctive glass.
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 with more proof behind it.
- Go with Four Roses Single Barrel if you want the most expressive, spice-and-fruit-forward single recipe in the Four Roses range at a lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel); neat, old-fashioned (Four Roses Single Barrel).