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New Riff 8 Year vs Rowan's Creek
Comparing New Riff 8 Year and Rowan's Creek reveals a matchup between a modern, spice-driven craft expression and a traditional, even-keeled Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | New Riff 8 Year | Rowan's Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 65% corn, 30% rye, 5% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | 8 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 100.1 proof (50.0% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$65 – $70 | ~$40 – $50 ~$23 less |
- Rowan's Creek 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.
Rowan's Creek
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
New Riff 8 Year Rowan's Creek
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 7/4 oak: New Riff 8 Year 7 out of 10, Rowan's Creek 4 out of 10
spice 8/7 spice: New Riff 8 Year 8 out of 10, Rowan's Creek 7 out of 10
fruit 5/4 fruit: New Riff 8 Year 5 out of 10, Rowan's Creek 4 out of 10
nuttiness 3/2 nuttiness: New Riff 8 Year 3 out of 10, Rowan's Creek 2 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: New Riff 8 Year 6 out of 10, Rowan's Creek 6 out of 10
heat 5/5 heat: New Riff 8 Year 5 out of 10, Rowan's Creek 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Oak is doing most of the differentiating 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.
- Rowan's Creek: A small-batch Willett bottling that tastes rye-forward and herbal. Honey and caramel sit under mint, hay and warm spice, with a peppermint lift on the finish.
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.
- Go with Rowan's Creek if you want an herbal, minty, rye-forward Willett bottling at a lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (New Riff 8 Year); neat, old-fashioned, cocktails (Rowan's Creek).