Compare
Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel vs Willett Pot Still Reserve
Comparing Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel and Willett Pot Still Reserve reveals a matchup between a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple and a modern, even-keeled craft expression.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel | Willett Pot Still Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | No age statement | No age statement |
| Proof | 110 proof (55% ABV) +16 proof | 94 proof (47% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$55 – $70 | ~$45 – $60 ~$10 less |
| Availability | Limited | Widely available easier to find |
- Willett Pot Still Reserve 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.
Willett Pot Still Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel Willett Pot Still Reserve
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 8/5 spice: Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 8 out of 10, Willett Pot Still Reserve 5 out of 10
heat 7/4 heat: Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 7 out of 10, Willett Pot Still Reserve 4 out of 10
oak 8/6 oak: Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 8 out of 10, Willett Pot Still Reserve 6 out of 10
fruit 4/6 fruit: Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 4 out of 10, Willett Pot Still Reserve 6 out of 10
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 6 out of 10, Willett Pot Still Reserve 7 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 3 out of 10, Willett Pot Still Reserve 4 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.
- Willett Pot Still Reserve: Famous first for the pot-still-shaped decanter and second for the whiskey, which is a fair ordering. Pleasant, sweet and fruit-leaning, with a good deal of the price attached to the glass.
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 Willett Pot Still Reserve if you want a distinctive bottle on the shelf and an easy, fruit-forward pour inside it at a slightly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel); neat, rocks (Willett Pot Still Reserve).