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Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel vs Woodford Reserve
Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel and Woodford Reserve are cut from similar cloth: two takes on high-rye bourbons, where the real difference is proof (110 vs. 90.4).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel | Woodford Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 90.4 proof (45.2% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$55 – $70 | ~$35 – $42 ~$24 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.
Woodford Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel Woodford Reserve
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 7/4 heat: Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 7 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 4 out of 10
spice 8/6 spice: Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 8 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10
oak 8/6 oak: Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 8 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10
fruit 4/6 fruit: Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 4 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 6 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 3 out of 10, Woodford Reserve 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Proof and heat dominate the difference.
- 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.
- Woodford Reserve: The most widely poured premium bourbon in America, and a genuinely well-made one. Dried fruit and cocoa over a balanced 18% rye mash, finished smooth enough to please almost anyone.
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 Woodford Reserve if you want a polished, widely available crowd-pleaser that never puts a foot wrong at a lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel); neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Woodford Reserve).