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Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel vs Stellum Bourbon
Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel and Stellum Bourbon sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: an old-guard, rye-forward classic versus an undiluted barrel-strength pour.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel | Stellum Bourbon |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 110 proof (55% ABV) | 115 proof (57.5% ABV) +5 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$55 – $70 | ~$45 – $55 ~$13 less |
| Availability | Limited | Widely available easier to find |
- Stellum Bourbon does not publish an official mash bill.
- 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.
Stellum Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel Stellum Bourbon
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 8/6 oak: Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 8 out of 10, Stellum Bourbon 6 out of 10
spice 8/7 spice: Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 8 out of 10, Stellum Bourbon 7 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 6 out of 10, Stellum Bourbon 6 out of 10
fruit 4/4 fruit: Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 4 out of 10, Stellum Bourbon 4 out of 10
heat 7/7 heat: Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 7 out of 10, Stellum Bourbon 7 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 3 out of 10, Stellum Bourbon 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Oak is doing most of the differentiating 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.
- Stellum Bourbon: Barrell's lower-priced, cask-strength line. It drinks gentler than its proof, with vanilla and caramel on top of cinnamon, clove and a long, spicy finish.
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.
- Go with Stellum Bourbon if you want a cask-strength, multi-state blend that drinks easier than its proof at a lower price point and without hunting for it.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel); neat, old-fashioned (Stellum Bourbon).