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Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel vs Old Forester 1870 Original Batch
Comparing Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel and Old Forester 1870 Original Batch reveals a matchup between a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple and a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel | Old Forester 1870 Original Batch |
|---|---|---|
| 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) +20 proof | 90 proof (45% 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.
Old Forester 1870 Original Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel Old Forester 1870 Original Batch
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 8/4 spice: Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 8 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 4 out of 10
heat 7/3 heat: Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 7 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 3 out of 10
oak 8/5 oak: Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 8 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 5 out of 10
fruit 4/6 fruit: Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 4 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 6 out of 10
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 6 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 7 out of 10
nuttiness 3/2 nuttiness: Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 3 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 2 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The gap between these two is mostly about spice.
- 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 1870 Original Batch: The first bottle in Old Forester's Whiskey Row Series, recreating the founder's habit of blending barrels from three warehouses. It is the lightest of the series, caramel sweet and easy.
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 1870 Original Batch if you want the gentlest, most easygoing pour in the Whiskey Row Series at a lower price point and without hunting for it.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel); neat, rocks, highball (Old Forester 1870 Original Batch).