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New Riff 8 Year vs E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel
Comparing New Riff 8 Year and E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel reveals a matchup between a modern, spice-driven craft expression and a traditional, even-keeled Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | New Riff 8 Year | E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel |
|---|---|---|
| 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) | 100 proof (50% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$65 – $70 ~$38 less | ~$70 – $140 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Allocated |
- E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 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.
E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
New Riff 8 Year E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 8/5 spice: New Riff 8 Year 8 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 5 out of 10
oak 7/8 oak: New Riff 8 Year 7 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 8 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: New Riff 8 Year 3 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 4 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: New Riff 8 Year 6 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 6 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: New Riff 8 Year 5 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 5 out of 10
heat 5/5 heat: New Riff 8 Year 5 out of 10, E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel 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.
- E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel: Single barrels from the warehouse Colonel Taylor built, bonded at 100 proof. More oak and more concentration than the small batch, and one of the most sought-after regular releases Buffalo Trace makes.
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 E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel if you want the most concentrated bonded expression of the Buffalo Trace profile, and the hunt does not deter you.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (New Riff 8 Year); neat (E.H. Taylor Jr. Single Barrel).