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New Riff 8 Year vs Penelope Four Grain
Comparing New Riff 8 Year and Penelope Four Grain reveals a matchup between a modern, spice-driven craft expression and a sourced, even-keeled blend.
Key Specifications
| Feature | New Riff 8 Year | Penelope Four Grain |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Four-Grain Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 65% corn, 30% rye, 5% malted barley | 74% corn, 7% rye, 16% wheat, 3% malted barley |
| Age | 8 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) +20 proof | 80 proof (40% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$65 – $70 | ~$30 – $40 ~$33 less |
- Penelope Four Grain 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.
Penelope Four Grain
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
New Riff 8 Year Penelope Four Grain
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 8/3 spice: New Riff 8 Year 8 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 3 out of 10
oak 7/3 oak: New Riff 8 Year 7 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 3 out of 10
heat 5/2 heat: New Riff 8 Year 5 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 2 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: New Riff 8 Year 3 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 4 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: New Riff 8 Year 6 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 6 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: New Riff 8 Year 5 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 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.
- Penelope Four Grain: A light, low-proof blend of corn, wheat, rye and barley. Honey, almond and orchard fruit keep it sweet and easy, though it reads young and thin when sipped neat.
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.
- Go with Penelope Four Grain if you want an easy, light, honeyed bourbon that mixes well at a significantly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (New Riff 8 Year); highball, cocktails (Penelope Four Grain).