Is Russell's Reserve 13 year worth chasing? If you're here to answer that question I hope this head to head review helps you! Check out my full reviews of each of these in the related post section at the bottom of the page. I have been blinded to which pour is in which glass for fairness.
Scroll slow if you want to read the notes and rankings without seeing the reveal at the bottom.
Left Glass Review:
Nose:
Dark chocolate
Spice
Caramel
Dry oak / vanilla
Sweet fig; almost red wine
Something really funky; approaches a light vinegar note
Definite old oak note; solid depth
Intense black pepper & molasses
Marshmallow
Smells like higher proof
Palate:
Caramel forward
Cherry rise is delicious
Long linger of cinnamon, but not as spicy as cinnamon hots
Yummy citrus delivery
Vanilla linger
Tannic red grade, fig & jam
Intense mouth coating; wine-like
Definite full body to this, one for those with a sweet tooth
Right Glass Review:
Nose:
Sweet fig & cherry
Spicy Oak
Caramel
Something dry but smooth in texture
Funky & more herbal spice than other glass
Paper dryness, but with a bit of butter behind it
Never have I ever smelled this in a glass, but tomato basil red pasta sauce & meatballs... very briefly
Slightly metallic but in a chocolate + cloves kind of way
Really fun nose
Palate:
Syrupy sweet cherry
Cinnamon pop
Thin to start but nice rising delivery
Light vanilla cream dusted with citrus zest
Black pepper bite
Creamy long caramel linger
Delivers a little proofy but fades quickly into a flavor bomb
Sweet, but not overly so
I drank this glass faster, for what that's worth, if anything
Final Ranking: Left Glass > Right Glass, but they are incredibly close
Reveal: Left Glass = 13 Year
Right Glass = Single Barrel 8 Year Pick
I had these identified correctly. Having come off the 13 year tasting I knew it had some intense figgy. & jammy sweetness that bordered on a wine profile which definitely gave it away. There also are some slight nuances in the level of the oak intensity that gave away the age difference. I honestly could go either way on these pours rank-wise. At times the 13 year is almost too sweet for my preferences, but I'm sure many will enjoy that. I think this pick from Rapid Liquors is just an exceptional example of where Russell's picks can get to in terms of quality and will likely not represent the entirety of their line, as is expected with single barrel offerings. Let me know what you think if you have tried either!
Company on Label: Wild Turkey
Whiskey Type: Bourbon
Mash Bill Percentages: 75% Corn, 13% Rye, 12% Barley
Proof: 114.8°
Age: 13 years
Further identification: Russell's 13 comes with a white top label and a blue bottom label; it is NCF stated
Company on Label: Wild Turkey
Whiskey Type: Bourbon
Mash Bill Percentages: 75% Corn, 13% Rye, 12% Barley
Proof: 110°
Age: 8 years
Further identification: Rapid Liquors store pick Barrel 20-0164. Distilled 09/19/11, dumped 03/31/20, bottled 05/21/20 from Warehouse E, Floor 4