The 2025 Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Bourbon is a standout in the series—its highest proof yet brings amplified depth and intensity to the classic profile. Expect bold sweetness, vibrant fruit, firm spice, and oak-driven complexity. Ideal neat or with a few drops of water to soften the edges and unlock hidden layers.

🏺 Heritage & Release Context

• First launched in 2021, the Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Old Bourbon returns in Spring 2025 with its highest barrel proof yet—123.8 proof (61.9% ABV). Crafted from barrels aged a minimum of 13 years in Wild Turkey’s historic Kentucky rickhouses, this batch is non-chill filtered and each release now includes unique batch and seasonal labeling.
  

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👃 Aroma (Nose)

• Bold and aromatic without being harsh: expect vanilla bean frosting, rich baking spice (clove, nutmeg), followed by toasted oak, dried corncob, and that classic dusty Russell’s funk. On the second pass, notes of Luxardo cherry, espresso, nutmeg-dusted cream, and burnt citrus peel emerge.
  

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👅 Palate & Texture

• Immediately sweet, tempered by dark chocolate and concentrated oak tannins. Cherry cola, molasses, and cinnamon spice lead the charge. Mid-palate reveals red fruit cobbler, orange-infused chocolate, white pepper, and faint menthol notes. The mouthfeel is moderately viscous—structured but not syrupy.
  

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🔁 Finish

• Enduring and warming, the finish showcases deep oak char, creamy dark chocolate, espresso, pepper, and lingering fruit syrup. While not as layered as some other Russell’s releases, it holds a refined, satisfying close.
  

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🌟 Overall Style

• A refined, high-proof powerhouse for Russell’s enthusiasts—this bottle intensifies the brand’s signature vanilla, spice, and dark fruit profile while introducing new cola‑molasses notes and oak presence.

• VinePair rated it 95 points, highlighting its bold expression and quality, even if some noted a slight unevenness compared to earlier batches.
  

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🧾 Quick Summary