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New Riff 8 Year vs Old Grand-Dad 114
On paper New Riff 8 Year and Old Grand-Dad 114 are near neighbours — both high-rye bourbons — so price (~$65 – $70 vs. ~$28 – $35) is what actually decides it.
Key Specifications
| Feature | New Riff 8 Year | Old Grand-Dad 114 |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 65% corn, 30% rye, 5% malted barley | 63% corn, 27% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | 8 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 114 proof (57% ABV) +14 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$65 – $70 | ~$28 – $35 ~$36 less |
- Old Grand-Dad 114 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.
Old Grand-Dad 114
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
New Riff 8 Year Old Grand-Dad 114
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 5/8 heat: New Riff 8 Year 5 out of 10, Old Grand-Dad 114 8 out of 10
nuttiness 3/5 nuttiness: New Riff 8 Year 3 out of 10, Old Grand-Dad 114 5 out of 10
spice 8/9 spice: New Riff 8 Year 8 out of 10, Old Grand-Dad 114 9 out of 10
oak 7/6 oak: New Riff 8 Year 7 out of 10, Old Grand-Dad 114 6 out of 10
fruit 5/4 fruit: New Riff 8 Year 5 out of 10, Old Grand-Dad 114 4 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: New Riff 8 Year 6 out of 10, Old Grand-Dad 114 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.
- Old Grand-Dad 114: The best proof-per-dollar in American whiskey and it is not especially close. The 27% rye mash at 114 proof is loud, peppery and completely unsubtle, which is exactly why it makes such a good old-fashioned.
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 Old Grand-Dad 114 if you want maximum rye spice and proof for under thirty dollars.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (New Riff 8 Year); neat, old-fashioned, cocktails (Old Grand-Dad 114).