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New Riff 8 Year vs Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof
Put New Riff 8 Year next to Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof and you have a contemporary, high-rye craft build set against a full-proof, unfiltered heavyweight.
Key Specifications
| Feature | New Riff 8 Year | Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| 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) | 130.3 proof (65.2% ABV) +30 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$65 – $70 ~$70 less | ~$75 – $200 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Allocated |
- Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 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.
Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof
A top 5 bottle.
Flavor Profile
New Riff 8 Year Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 5/9 heat: New Riff 8 Year 5 out of 10, Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 9 out of 10
spice 8/5 spice: New Riff 8 Year 8 out of 10, Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/6 nuttiness: New Riff 8 Year 3 out of 10, Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 6 out of 10
oak 7/8 oak: New Riff 8 Year 7 out of 10, Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 8 out of 10
fruit 5/4 fruit: New Riff 8 Year 5 out of 10, Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 4 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: New Riff 8 Year 6 out of 10, Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof 6 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
These two land very differently on the palate for heat.
- 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.
- Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof: E.H. Taylor straight from the barrel. Very hot and nutty, with toasted pecan, dark sugar and heavy oak; the proof changes with each batch.
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 at a significantly lower price point and without hunting for it.
- Go with Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof if you want a hot, nutty, barrel-proof Buffalo Trace bourbon.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (New Riff 8 Year); neat (Colonel E.H. Taylor Barrel Proof).