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George T. Stagg vs New Riff 8 Year
Put George T. Stagg 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 | George T. Stagg | New Riff 8 Year |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | 65% corn, 30% rye, 5% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 8 years |
| Proof | 142.8 proof (71.4% ABV) +43 proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$150 – $800 | ~$65 – $70 ~$408 less |
| Availability | Allocated | Widely available easier to find |
- George T. Stagg does not publish an official mash bill.
- US shelf prices as of 2026-10; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
George T. Stagg
Very complex, with the taste profile moving across the entire palate.
New Riff 8 Year
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
George T. Stagg New Riff 8 Year
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 10/5 heat: George T. Stagg 10 out of 10, New Riff 8 Year 5 out of 10
spice 6/8 spice: George T. Stagg 6 out of 10, New Riff 8 Year 8 out of 10
oak 9/7 oak: George T. Stagg 9 out of 10, New Riff 8 Year 7 out of 10
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: George T. Stagg 7 out of 10, New Riff 8 Year 6 out of 10
fruit 6/5 fruit: George T. Stagg 6 out of 10, New Riff 8 Year 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: George T. Stagg 3 out of 10, New Riff 8 Year 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land very differently on the palate for heat.
- George T. Stagg: The Buffalo Trace Antique Collection's barrel-proof bourbon, around 15 years old. Root beer, dark caramel and charred oak at an enormous proof that changes each year.
- 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 George T. Stagg if you want the oldest, hottest, most concentrated Buffalo Trace bourbon you can find with significantly more proof behind it.
- Go with New Riff 8 Year if you want an older, deeper take on New Riff's spicy high-rye recipe at a significantly lower price point and without hunting for it.
Best enjoyed neat (George T. Stagg); neat, old-fashioned (New Riff 8 Year).