Compare
Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) vs New Riff 8 Year
Put Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) next to New Riff 8 Year and you have a full-proof, unfiltered heavyweight set against a contemporary, high-rye craft build.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) | New Riff 8 Year |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 65% corn, 30% rye, 5% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 8 years |
| Proof | 110 proof (55% ABV) +10 proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$80 – $100 | ~$65 – $70 ~$23 less |
| Availability | Limited | Widely available easier to find |
- Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) 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
Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series)
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
New Riff 8 Year
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) New Riff 8 Year
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 8/5 heat: Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) 8 out of 10, New Riff 8 Year 5 out of 10
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) 7 out of 10, New Riff 8 Year 6 out of 10
spice 7/8 spice: Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) 7 out of 10, New Riff 8 Year 8 out of 10
oak 8/7 oak: Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) 8 out of 10, New Riff 8 Year 7 out of 10
fruit 6/5 fruit: Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) 6 out of 10, New Riff 8 Year 5 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) 4 out of 10, New Riff 8 Year 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land very differently on the palate for heat.
- Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series): Barrell blends sourced barrels from multiple states and bottles at cask strength, and the batches differ enormously. At their best they show a tropical fruit note that almost nothing else in bourbon delivers.
- 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 Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series) if you want an adventurous, cask-strength blend and you accept that each batch is its own animal.
- Go with New Riff 8 Year if you want an older, deeper take on New Riff's spicy high-rye recipe at a lower price point and without hunting for it.
Best enjoyed neat (Barrell Bourbon (Batch Series)); neat, old-fashioned (New Riff 8 Year).