Compare
New Riff 8 Year vs Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof
New Riff 8 Year and Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof sit on opposite sides of a familiar divide: a new-wave, rye-forward craft style versus an undiluted barrel-strength pour.
Key Specifications
| Feature | New Riff 8 Year | Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill 1 | 65% corn, 30% rye, 5% malted barley | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | 8 years | 13 years +5 yr |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 123.8 proof (61.9% ABV) +24 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$65 – $70 ~$183 less | ~$200 – $300 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Limited |
- Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 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.
Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
New Riff 8 Year Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 5/8 heat: New Riff 8 Year 5 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 8 out of 10
sweetness 6/8 sweetness: New Riff 8 Year 6 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 8 out of 10
spice 8/6 spice: New Riff 8 Year 8 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 6 out of 10
oak 7/8 oak: New Riff 8 Year 7 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 8 out of 10
fruit 5/6 fruit: New Riff 8 Year 5 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: New Riff 8 Year 3 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof 3 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.
- Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof: Thirteen-year Wild Turkey at full barrel proof, uncut and unfiltered. Cola, molasses and fruit cobbler sit on deep, charred oak, and each release carries its own proof.
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 Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof if you want an old, uncut Wild Turkey with cola, cobbler and serious oak with an older age statement.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (New Riff 8 Year); neat (Russell’s Reserve 13 Year Barrel Proof).