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Baker’s 7 Year vs New Riff 8 Year
On paper Baker’s 7 Year and New Riff 8 Year are near neighbours — both high-rye bourbons — so proof (107 vs. 100) is what actually decides it.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Baker’s 7 Year | New Riff 8 Year |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley | 65% corn, 30% rye, 5% malted barley |
| Age | 7 years | 8 years +1 yr |
| Proof | 107 proof (53.5% ABV) +7 proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$55 – $70 ~$5 less | ~$65 – $70 |
- Baker’s 7 Year does not publish an official mash bill.
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Baker’s 7 Year
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
New Riff 8 Year
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Baker’s 7 Year New Riff 8 Year
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
nuttiness 7/3 nuttiness: Baker’s 7 Year 7 out of 10, New Riff 8 Year 3 out of 10
spice 5/8 spice: Baker’s 7 Year 5 out of 10, New Riff 8 Year 8 out of 10
heat 6/5 heat: Baker’s 7 Year 6 out of 10, New Riff 8 Year 5 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Baker’s 7 Year 6 out of 10, New Riff 8 Year 6 out of 10
oak 7/7 oak: Baker’s 7 Year 7 out of 10, New Riff 8 Year 7 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Baker’s 7 Year 5 out of 10, New Riff 8 Year 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Nutty, grain-driven character is the divider.
- Baker’s 7 Year: The gentlest of the Beam small-batch collection despite its 107 proof, thanks to an unusually creamy texture. The peanut note is present but softened, sitting under vanilla and light fruit.
- New Riff 8 Year: The older, deeper version of New Riff's bonded bourbon. Same 30% rye recipe, but eight years add richer oak and darker sugar while keeping the spice front and center.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Baker’s 7 Year if you want the Beam character in its smoothest, creamiest form at a real proof point at a slightly lower price point.
- Go with New Riff 8 Year if you want an older, deeper take on New Riff's spicy high-rye recipe with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Baker’s 7 Year); neat, old-fashioned (New Riff 8 Year).