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Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel vs Penelope Toasted Series
Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel and Penelope Toasted Series 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 | Penelope Toasted Series |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley | 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% 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 | ~$55 – $70 |
| 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.
Penelope Toasted Series
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel Penelope Toasted Series
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 8/5 spice: Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 8 out of 10, Penelope Toasted Series 5 out of 10
heat 7/5 heat: Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 7 out of 10, Penelope Toasted Series 5 out of 10
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 6 out of 10, Penelope Toasted Series 7 out of 10
oak 8/7 oak: Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 8 out of 10, Penelope Toasted Series 7 out of 10
fruit 4/4 fruit: Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 4 out of 10, Penelope Toasted Series 4 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 3 out of 10, Penelope Toasted Series 3 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.
- Penelope Toasted Series: Finished in a second, freshly toasted barrel, which pushes it toward toffee, roasted coffee and darker oak. The toast level changes from batch to batch.
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 Penelope Toasted Series if you want a toasty, coffee-and-toffee bourbon from a second-barrel finish without hunting for it.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel); neat, old-fashioned (Penelope Toasted Series).