Russell's Reserve 13 Is Back, And It's Stronger Than Ever
After a hiatus last year, Wild Turkey’s popular release is reemerging with a new proof point
June 24, 2025 –––––– Danny Brandon
Since its debut in 2021, Russell’s Reserve 13 year old (RR13) has remained one of the most popular bourbons made by Wild Turkey Distillery. Master distiller Eddie Russell previously had been blending 13 year old liquid into the brand’s flagship 10 year old bourbon, until he got the idea of bottling this older component on its own. The first RR13 was one-off batch made in honor of Eddie’s father, legendary master distiller Jimmy Russell. That release was impressive, notching a 93-point score from our tasting panel. Fans clamored for more, so Russell decided to turn it into a recurring release the following year.
Russell’s Reserve’s limited expressions typically don’t follow a hard and fast release schedule, but RR13 has been available as an annual offering since 2022. So last year, when the news came that there wouldn’t be a fresh batch for 2024, it was a big surprise for fans. The brand instead surprised everyone with a limited edition 15 year old bourbon, intended as a one-off stand-in. This year, Wild Turkey announced that the 13 year old was making its official return, and this time with a higher proof than before.
What's in the Bottle?
This latest release is bottled at barrel proof, coming in at 61.2% ABV— a fairly sizable jump over the typical 57.4% we’ve seen in previous batches. It’s also the highest-proof whiskey ever released by Wild Turkey—clocking in just slightly higher than Russell's Reserve Single Rickhouse Collection Camp Nelson B, which launched in October. But it might not hold that title for long. The plan is for subsequent batches to be bottled at varying barrel proofs, which leaves the door open for even higher proof points. We haven’t tasted the latest version yet, but master distiller Eddie Russell says its profile is very much in-line with previous batches, albeit with a bit more depth of flavor (likely thanks to the higher ABV).
This is the first RR13 to carry the distilling season on label, and all future releases will do so going forward. The limited release carries a suggested retail price of $200, and it’s available nationwide. Bottles can also be found at the Wild Turkey Visitor Center in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky. More information on exactly how to purchase a bottle can be found via the Russell’s Reserve newsletter.
Russell’s Reserve 13 year old Bourbon (2025 Release)
ABV: 61.2%
SRP: $200
Availability: Limited; nationwide starting later this summer
