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Evan Williams Black Label vs New Riff 8 Year
Comparing Evan Williams Black Label and New Riff 8 Year reveals a matchup between a traditional, even-keeled Kentucky staple and a modern, spice-driven craft expression.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Evan Williams Black Label | New Riff 8 Year |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 8 years |
| Proof | 86 proof (43% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +14 proof |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$14 – $18 ~$52 less | ~$65 – $70 |
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Evan Williams Black Label
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
New Riff 8 Year
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Evan Williams Black Label New Riff 8 Year
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 4/8 spice: Evan Williams Black Label 4 out of 10, New Riff 8 Year 8 out of 10
oak 5/7 oak: Evan Williams Black Label 5 out of 10, New Riff 8 Year 7 out of 10
heat 3/5 heat: Evan Williams Black Label 3 out of 10, New Riff 8 Year 5 out of 10
fruit 4/5 fruit: Evan Williams Black Label 4 out of 10, New Riff 8 Year 5 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Evan Williams Black Label 4 out of 10, New Riff 8 Year 3 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Evan Williams Black Label 6 out of 10, New Riff 8 Year 6 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Rye spice is the dividing line here.
- Evan Williams Black Label: The everyday black label, and a perfectly competent well bourbon. Softer and sweeter than the bonded version, with less to say but nothing objectionable.
- 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 Evan Williams Black Label if you want a dependable, inexpensive mixing bourbon and nothing more complicated than that at a significantly 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 more proof behind it and with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
Best enjoyed cocktails, highball, rocks (Evan Williams Black Label); neat, old-fashioned (New Riff 8 Year).