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New Riff 8 Year vs Penelope Rio
Comparing New Riff 8 Year and Penelope Rio reveals a matchup between a modern, spice-driven craft expression and a sourced, even-keeled blend.
Key Specifications
| Feature | New Riff 8 Year | Penelope Rio |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Four-Grain Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 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) +2 proof | 98 proof (49% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$65 – $70 ~$23 less | ~$80 – $100 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Limited |
- 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 Rio
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
New Riff 8 Year Penelope Rio
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 6/9 sweetness: New Riff 8 Year 6 out of 10, Penelope Rio 9 out of 10
oak 7/4 oak: New Riff 8 Year 7 out of 10, Penelope Rio 4 out of 10
spice 8/6 spice: New Riff 8 Year 8 out of 10, Penelope Rio 6 out of 10
fruit 5/6 fruit: New Riff 8 Year 5 out of 10, Penelope Rio 6 out of 10
heat 5/5 heat: New Riff 8 Year 5 out of 10, Penelope Rio 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: New Riff 8 Year 3 out of 10, Penelope Rio 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The clearest split is how sweet each one drinks.
- 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 Rio: Penelope's four-grain blend finished in honey barrels and then amburana wood. It tastes like a cinnamon roll: honey, gingerbread and sweet baking spice.
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 lower price point and without hunting for it.
- Go with Penelope Rio if you want a honey-and-amburana-finished bourbon that tastes like a cinnamon roll.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (New Riff 8 Year); neat, old-fashioned (Penelope Rio).