Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Old Bourbon Review (2025)

Russell’s Reserve
Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
13 Years Old
Spring 2025 Bottling
Proof: 123.8
SRP: $200
Review

Please enjoy our Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Old Bourbon Review by Ray Marcano!

Short Take: Another impressive release 

History

The first Russell’s Reserve 13 was released in 2021, and it was an immediate hit. There were four more batches released through 2023, differentiated by their laser codes. It was replaced by Russell’s Reserve 15 Year Old in 2024. However, this year, Russell’s 13 is back for its 6th release.

The Details – Russell’s 13 Year Old Bourbon Review

• Mash Bill: Not listed on the press release, but the 2021 version was widely reported at 75% Corn, 13% Rye, 12% Malted Barley.
• Proof: The 2025 release is bottled at barrel proof, which is 123.8. This and subsequent future releases of Russell’s 13 Year Old will feature each batch’s unique proof and production season on the label.
• Bottling Season: Spring 2025

Tasting Notes – Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Old Bourbon Review

Let’s taste it:

🛏 Rested for 15 minutes in a Glencairn glass

👉🏻Nose: Caramel, vanilla, toffee
👉🏻Taste: Molasses, caramel, brown sugar, notes of light fruit 
👉🏻Finish: Very long, rich caramel, oak, brown sugar

Summary – Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Old Bourbon Review

Once again, Wild Turkey, which distills the Russell’s Reserve 13, has come up with a winner. While several businesses would be tempted to rush another release, Wild Turkey waited until it produced another outstanding, and not just good, product. From the first sip, this whiskey announces itself as a contender for Bourbon of the Year. It’s so deep and rich that you can still taste it as you get toward the end of a half-hour TV show. This is a classic sipping bourbon because if you rush, you’ll cheat yourself by missing how the caramel, molasses, toffee, and vanilla come together. First, it’s one flavor, then another, and then another. If you think of bourbon as a symphony, this one would be Mahler’s Symphony No. 9, a work of deep complexity that leaves the audience stunned… just like the RR13.

Conclusion –Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Old

As a limited release, this will be hard to find. Russell’s Reserve asks customers to sign up for emailed updates on availability. It’ll be a difficult get, even at the new inflated retail (the first Russell’s 13 release started at $69 and went to $100 when they made more bottles available to the public, and then to around $150 for the 2023 releases). Still, if you can find one, get it. This is a gem of a bourbon.

Have you tried the Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Old Bourbon? What do you think? Cheers!🥃

We hope you have enjoyed our Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Old Bourbon Review by Ray Marcano! Ray publishes a free monthly newsletter, The Bourbon Resource. You can subscribe here. If you would like to read about more whiskeys from this distillery, check out our Wild Turkey 101 Bourbon Review and our Wild Turkey Rare Breed Rye Review! Or, read about Wild Turkey’s Recently Remodeled Visitor Center!

Note: Russell’s Reserve provided a sample of the RR13 to the Bourbon Resource with no special consideration. The Bourbon Resource appreciates Russell’s Reserves’ support.

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