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Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel vs Four Roses Small Batch Select
Comparing Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel and Four Roses Small Batch Select is a closer contest than it looks — both are high-rye bourbons, separated mainly by proof (110 vs. 104).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel | Four Roses Small Batch Select |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 6 years |
| Proof | 110 proof (55% ABV) +6 proof | 104 proof (52% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$55 – $70 | ~$55 – $65 |
| 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 Small Batch Select
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel Four Roses Small Batch Select
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 4/8 fruit: Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 4 out of 10, Four Roses Small Batch Select 8 out of 10
oak 8/6 oak: Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 8 out of 10, Four Roses Small Batch Select 6 out of 10
spice 8/7 spice: Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 8 out of 10, Four Roses Small Batch Select 7 out of 10
heat 7/6 heat: Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 7 out of 10, Four Roses Small Batch Select 6 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 6 out of 10, Four Roses Small Batch Select 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 3 out of 10, Four Roses Small Batch Select 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 Small Batch Select: Six recipes, non-chill-filtered, at 104 proof, and the most complete thing Four Roses makes at a normal price. The house fruit character with enough proof and texture to carry it.
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 slightly more proof behind it.
- Go with Four Roses Small Batch Select if you want the fullest expression of the Four Roses fruit-forward style without chasing an allocated bottle without hunting for it.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel); neat, rocks (Four Roses Small Batch Select).