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New Riff 8 Year vs Buffalo Trace
Comparing New Riff 8 Year and Buffalo Trace reveals a matchup between a modern, spice-driven craft expression and a traditional, even-keeled Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | New Riff 8 Year | Buffalo Trace |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 65% corn, 30% rye, 5% malted barley | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | 8 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) +10 proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$65 – $70 | ~$28 – $35 ~$36 less |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Limited |
- Buffalo Trace 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.
Buffalo Trace
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
New Riff 8 Year Buffalo Trace
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 8/5 spice: New Riff 8 Year 8 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 5 out of 10
oak 7/6 oak: New Riff 8 Year 7 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 6 out of 10
heat 5/4 heat: New Riff 8 Year 5 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 4 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: New Riff 8 Year 3 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 4 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: New Riff 8 Year 6 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 6 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: New Riff 8 Year 5 out of 10, Buffalo Trace 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Rye spice is the dividing line here.
- 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.
- Buffalo Trace: The reference-point Kentucky bourbon: balanced brown sugar and vanilla sweetness, a whisper of mint, and just enough oak and spice to keep it interesting. Nothing is loud, which is exactly the point at 90 proof.
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 more proof behind it and without hunting for it.
- Go with Buffalo Trace if you want the balanced, everyday Kentucky benchmark that does nothing wrong at a fair price.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (New Riff 8 Year); neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Buffalo Trace).