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New Riff 8 Year vs Baker’s 7 Year
On paper New Riff 8 Year and Baker’s 7 Year are near neighbours — both high-rye bourbons — so proof (100 vs. 107) is what actually decides it.
Key Specifications
| Feature | New Riff 8 Year | Baker’s 7 Year |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 65% corn, 30% rye, 5% malted barley | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | 8 years +1 yr | 7 years |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 107 proof (53.5% ABV) +7 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$65 – $70 | ~$55 – $70 ~$5 less |
- Baker’s 7 Year 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
New Riff 8 Year
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Baker’s 7 Year
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
New Riff 8 Year Baker’s 7 Year
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
nuttiness 3/7 nuttiness: New Riff 8 Year 3 out of 10, Baker’s 7 Year 7 out of 10
spice 8/5 spice: New Riff 8 Year 8 out of 10, Baker’s 7 Year 5 out of 10
heat 5/6 heat: New Riff 8 Year 5 out of 10, Baker’s 7 Year 6 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: New Riff 8 Year 6 out of 10, Baker’s 7 Year 6 out of 10
oak 7/7 oak: New Riff 8 Year 7 out of 10, Baker’s 7 Year 7 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: New Riff 8 Year 5 out of 10, Baker’s 7 Year 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Nutty, grain-driven character is the divider.
- 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.
- Baker’s 7 Year: The gentlest of the Beam small-batch collection despite its 107 proof, thanks to an unusually creamy texture. The peanut note is present but softened, sitting under vanilla and light fruit.
Which One Should You Choose?
- 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.
- Go with Baker’s 7 Year if you want the Beam character in its smoothest, creamiest form at a real proof point at a slightly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (New Riff 8 Year); neat, rocks (Baker’s 7 Year).