Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Old Bourbon is back for 2025. And with a new barrel proof, it’s the highest-ABV batched product we’ve ever seen from Wild Turkey.
Produced by Kentucky’s Wild Turkey Distilling Co., the new “RR13” is bottled at a whopping 123.8 proof. That places it ahead of Russell’s Reserve Single Rickhouse B (120.2 proof) and Wild Turkey Generations (120.8 proof) as the highest-ABV batched products from both the Russell’s and Wild Turkey lineups.
Russell’s Reserve 13 was originally introduced in 2021, and subsequent batches were released at a barrel proof of 114.8. It joined the Russell’s Reserve lineup as a more premium, older version of Russell’s Reserve’s standard 10 year bourbon offering.
In 2024, instead of a 13 year version, Wild Turkey released Russell’s Reserve 15 Year Bourbon. That expression—bottled at 117.2 proof—received widespread acclaim from fans and reviewers alike. Russell’s 15 was a special version the company makes no guarantees of releasing again. But Russell’s 13 is likely here to stay. Moving forward, all 13 Year Old labels will feature unique batch proofs and production seasons, which the manufacturer says offers “fans a distinctive and collectible bottling at every release.”
As with previous Russell’s Reserve 13 releases, the 2025 version is a limited, allocated release. Bottles will be available starting this summer at Wild Turkey’s visitor’s center, nationwide at select retailers, and in limited quantities online. The MSRP is $200—but don’t be surprised to see bottles listed at retail for significantly above that.
“This release of Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Old is special to me not only because it celebrates our legacy, but because it represents a new chapter in the evolution of this bourbon,” said Wild Turkey Master Distiller Eddie Russell, in a company press release.
“Each release is a labor of love and a reflection of the time and care we put into crafting every bottle. This one carries the signature profile the 13 is known for, but with enhanced cola notes that bring a new depth of flavor. I’m excited to share this new iteration with our fans because I think they’re going to love drinking it as much as I enjoyed making it.”
While we haven’t had a chance to taste this newest batch just yet, the brand’s tasting notes highlight vanilla, caramel, brown sugar, cherry, and various spices on the nose, along with “the distillery’s signature dusty funk.” The taste leans into cola, molasses, and dark fruit, along with buttercream, before a lengthy, oak-forward finish that ends with black pepper.
Fans can learn more, sign up for a newsletter, and find out how to potentially purchase bottles online at RussellsReserve.com.