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Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel vs Old Forester 100 Proof
Comparing Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel and Old Forester 100 Proof is a closer contest than it looks — both are high-rye bourbons, separated mainly by price (~$55 – $70 vs. ~$26 – $32).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel | Old Forester 100 Proof |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% 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 | ~$26 – $32 ~$34 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.
Old Forester 100 Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel Old Forester 100 Proof
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 8/6 spice: Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 8 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 6 out of 10
oak 8/6 oak: Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 8 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 6 out of 10
heat 7/5 heat: Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 7 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 5 out of 10
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 6 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 7 out of 10
fruit 4/5 fruit: Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 4 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 3 out of 10, Old Forester 100 Proof 3 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.
- Old Forester 100 Proof: The bottle most people should buy from this range: the same recipe as the 86 with enough proof to actually taste it. One of the strongest arguments on the shelf for spending six dollars more.
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 Old Forester 100 Proof if you want the best value in the Old Forester range and a superb old-fashioned base without hunting for it.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel); neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Old Forester 100 Proof).