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Stagg vs Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof
Stagg and Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof are cut from similar cloth: two takes on traditional bourbons, where the real difference is price (~$70 – $120 vs. ~$200 – $300).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Stagg | Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill 1 | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 13 years |
| Proof | 130 proof (65% ABV) +6 proof | 123.8 proof (61.9% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$70 – $120 ~$155 less | ~$200 – $300 |
- Stagg and Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof do not publish an official mash bill.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
Stagg
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Stagg Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 10/8 heat: Stagg 10 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 8 out of 10
sweetness 7/8 sweetness: Stagg 7 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 8 out of 10
spice 7/6 spice: Stagg 7 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 6 out of 10
oak 9/8 oak: Stagg 9 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 8 out of 10
fruit 5/6 fruit: Stagg 5 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 6 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Stagg 4 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Proof and heat dominate the difference.
- Stagg: Uncut and unfiltered Buffalo Trace at a proof that demands respect. Dark chocolate, espresso and charred oak arrive with genuine heat, and a few drops of water unlock a surprising amount of fruit.
- Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof: Thirteen-year Wild Turkey at full barrel proof, uncut and unfiltered. Cola, molasses and fruit cobbler sit on deep, charred oak, and each release carries its own proof.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Stagg if you want the biggest, hottest, most concentrated expression of the Buffalo Trace profile at a significantly lower price point.
- Go with Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof if you want an old, uncut Wild Turkey with cola, cobbler and serious oak.
Best enjoyed neat (Stagg); neat (Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof).