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Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon vs New Riff 8 Year
Comparing Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon and New Riff 8 Year reveals a matchup between a modern, wheated craft expression and a modern, spice-driven craft expression.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon | New Riff 8 Year |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 70% corn, 5% rye, 25% wheat | 65% corn, 30% rye, 5% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 8 years |
| Proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +10 proof |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$45 – $55 ~$18 less | ~$65 – $70 |
- US shelf prices as of 2026-10; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon
Didn't care for this one.
New Riff 8 Year
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon New Riff 8 Year
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 4/8 spice: Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon 4 out of 10, New Riff 8 Year 8 out of 10
oak 4/7 oak: Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon 4 out of 10, New Riff 8 Year 7 out of 10
fruit 4/5 fruit: Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon 4 out of 10, New Riff 8 Year 5 out of 10
nuttiness 2/3 nuttiness: Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon 2 out of 10, New Riff 8 Year 3 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon 6 out of 10, New Riff 8 Year 6 out of 10
heat 5/5 heat: Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon 5 out of 10, New Riff 8 Year 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The gap between these two is mostly about spice.
- Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon: An organic, wheat-heavy bourbon from a Michigan craft distillery. It stays round and caramel sweet on the palate with a peppery edge, while the nose is quiet and still a little young.
- 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 Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon if you want an organic, Midwest craft wheater with a round, caramel-forward body 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 more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Journeyman Featherbone Bourbon); neat, old-fashioned (New Riff 8 Year).