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Four Roses Single Barrel vs New Riff 8 Year
On paper Four Roses Single Barrel and New Riff 8 Year are near neighbours — both high-rye bourbons — so price (~$45 – $55 vs. ~$65 – $70) is what actually decides it.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Four Roses Single Barrel | New Riff 8 Year |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 60% corn, 35% rye, 5% malted barley | 65% corn, 30% rye, 5% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 8 years |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$45 – $55 ~$18 less | ~$65 – $70 |
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Four Roses Single Barrel
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
New Riff 8 Year
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Four Roses Single Barrel New Riff 8 Year
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
fruit 7/5 fruit: Four Roses Single Barrel 7 out of 10, New Riff 8 Year 5 out of 10
oak 6/7 oak: Four Roses Single Barrel 6 out of 10, New Riff 8 Year 7 out of 10
heat 6/5 heat: Four Roses Single Barrel 6 out of 10, New Riff 8 Year 5 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Four Roses Single Barrel 6 out of 10, New Riff 8 Year 6 out of 10
spice 8/8 spice: Four Roses Single Barrel 8 out of 10, New Riff 8 Year 8 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Four Roses Single Barrel 3 out of 10, New Riff 8 Year 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The fruit-versus-grain contrast drives this one.
- Four Roses Single Barrel: The OBSV recipe on its own at 100 proof — the highest-rye mash Four Roses uses, paired with their most floral yeast. Cherry and clove in equal measure, and a genuinely distinctive glass.
- 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 Four Roses Single Barrel if you want the most expressive, spice-and-fruit-forward single recipe in the Four Roses range at a 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, old-fashioned (Four Roses Single Barrel); neat, old-fashioned (New Riff 8 Year).