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Jim Beam Black vs New Riff Single Barrel
Put Jim Beam Black next to New Riff Single Barrel and you have a classic, high-rye stalwart set against a contemporary, high-rye craft build.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Jim Beam Black | New Riff Single Barrel |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley | 65% corn, 30% rye, 5% malted barley |
| Age | 7 years +2 yr | 5 years |
| Proof | 86 proof (43% ABV) | 105 proof (52.5% ABV) +19 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$22 – $28 ~$38 less | ~$55 – $70 |
- Jim Beam Black 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
Jim Beam Black
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
New Riff Single Barrel
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Jim Beam Black New Riff Single Barrel
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 4/9 spice: Jim Beam Black 4 out of 10, New Riff Single Barrel 9 out of 10
heat 3/7 heat: Jim Beam Black 3 out of 10, New Riff Single Barrel 7 out of 10
nuttiness 6/3 nuttiness: Jim Beam Black 6 out of 10, New Riff Single Barrel 3 out of 10
sweetness 6/4 sweetness: Jim Beam Black 6 out of 10, New Riff Single Barrel 4 out of 10
fruit 3/5 fruit: Jim Beam Black 3 out of 10, New Riff Single Barrel 5 out of 10
oak 6/6 oak: Jim Beam Black 6 out of 10, New Riff Single Barrel 6 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Rye spice is the dividing line here.
- Jim Beam Black: The extra-aged version of the white label and a considerable step up for a few dollars more. Softer and rounder than Knob Creek with the same family peanut note, at a proof that keeps everything gentle.
- 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 Jim Beam Black if you want the Beam house character at its most affordable and easy-going with an older age statement.
- Go with New Riff Single Barrel if you want the most aggressively spice-driven bourbon in this list, with single-barrel variation on top with more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, cocktails (Jim Beam Black); neat, old-fashioned (New Riff Single Barrel).