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Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel vs New Riff Single Barrel
Comparing Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel and New Riff Single Barrel reveals a matchup between a traditional, even-keeled Kentucky staple and a modern, spice-driven craft expression.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel | New Riff Single Barrel |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | 65% corn, 30% rye, 5% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 5 years |
| Proof | 94 proof (47% ABV) | 105 proof (52.5% ABV) +11 proof |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$60 – $80 | ~$55 – $70 ~$8 less |
| Availability | Limited | Widely available easier to find |
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
New Riff Single Barrel
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel New Riff Single Barrel
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 8/4 sweetness: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 8 out of 10, New Riff Single Barrel 4 out of 10
spice 5/9 spice: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 5 out of 10, New Riff Single Barrel 9 out of 10
oak 9/6 oak: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 9 out of 10, New Riff Single Barrel 6 out of 10
heat 4/7 heat: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 4 out of 10, New Riff Single Barrel 7 out of 10
nuttiness 5/3 nuttiness: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 5 out of 10, New Riff Single Barrel 3 out of 10
fruit 4/5 fruit: Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel 4 out of 10, New Riff Single Barrel 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The clearest split is how sweet each one drinks.
- Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel: Finished in a second toasted (not charred) barrel, which produces an unmistakable toasted-marshmallow note. Sweet and heavily wooded, and one of the more distinctive finishes any major producer makes.
- New Riff Single Barrel: The single-barrel expression of New Riff's 30% rye mash, non-chill-filtered and at higher proof than the bonded version. As dry and peppery as bourbon gets before it stops being bourbon.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel if you want a distinctive toasted-oak, marshmallow-sweet finish you will not find in a standard bourbon.
- Go with New Riff Single Barrel if you want the most aggressively spice-driven bourbon in this list, with single-barrel variation on top at a slightly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel); neat, old-fashioned (New Riff Single Barrel).