Side by side
Russell's Reserve 15 Year Old Bourbon vs Remus Gatsby Reserve 2024
Russell's Reserve 15 Year Old Bourbon
39 positive (89%) · 5 mixed (11%) · 0 negative (0%)
Trust + time weighted: +88%
AI summary — not a quote
Russell's Reserve 15 Year Old is widely regarded by enthusiasts as an instant classic and a top-tier bourbon that competes with legendary releases like George T. Stagg and William Larue Weller. At 117.2 proof, it is praised for its intense complexity, 'antique' oak character, and rich flavor profile of dark fruits and leather, though its high price and heavy oak influence are points of contention.
Pros
- Frequently rated as 'perfect' or near-perfect (9.5-10/10) in enthusiast reviews
- Exceptional complexity with notes of dried fruit, old oak, smoke, leather, and 'rancio'
- Consistently beats other high-end bottles in blind tastings
- Achieves a flavor profile comparable to legendary 'dusty' Wild Turkey bottles
Cons
- High MSRP ($250) and often even more expensive at retail
- Extremely difficult to find without luck or winning a raffle
- Heavy oak profile can be 'too drying' or over-oaked for some palates
Top excerpts
Parent context: How are you comparing it to RR15 regarding flavor profiles? I thought RR15 was a touch over-oaked for my palate, but the nose on it was phenomenal. Reply: You can read the comparison [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/bourbon/s/JMvDi1YCkm) but yes, RR15 is definitely on the oaky side, but I like it.
In a blind against all of the Single Rickhouses barring CNF and RR15 it came in second just behind RR15 for me, which stands as a testament for how awesome this is.
RR 15 and even the 13 are so hard to beat for me.
this bottle previously won a blind tasting against some heavy hitters, including: Russell’s Reserve 15
10: perfect (Russell's Reserve 15).
Remus Gatsby Reserve 2024
24 positive (100%) · 0 mixed (0%) · 0 negative (0%)
Trust + time weighted: +100%
AI summary — not a quote
The Remus Gatsby Reserve 2024 is a highly acclaimed 15-year-old bourbon that enthusiasts frequently compare to rare 'unicorn' bottles like George T. Stagg and Old Forester Birthday Bourbon. It is praised for its deep oak character and a distinct fruit profile featuring cherry cola and dark strawberry. While it carries a premium price tag, it is often cited as a more accessible alternative to other high-end allocated releases.
Pros
- Rich flavor profile with notes of cherry cola, dark honey, molasses, and strawberry
- Excellent balance of deep oak influence without becoming overly tannic or bitter
- Often considered superior to other limited releases like the 2024 Birthday Bourbon
- Relatively easier to find at MSRP compared to other high-age statement 'unicorns'
Cons
- Premium pricing ($150-$200) makes it a significant splurge
- Some users find the palate slightly more subtle or simple compared to the intense nose
- The finish can be heavy on spicy oak tannins, which may not suit all palates
Top excerpts
I did like 2024 quite a bit. ... I demolished my 2024 about 6 months ago so I was happy to pick this up
It is a really good bourbon, just a bit more subtle on the palate than I expected. Really nice oak influence.
Genuinely love this release. To my palate, it had the same profile as 2024 Birthday Bourbon but better
I really enjoyed this one. I got it for $140 which I think is the right price for something like this. Solid older whiskey but not going to be a life changing pour
The nose on this bourbon is a stunner, and the palate is quite good too, but it grows a bit more simple and mellow at that point. This has great balance overall, and while the oak notes are definitely strong with that long aging period, this doesn't seem overwhelmed by tannins or spice at any point.