Compare
New Riff 8 Year vs Stagg
Comparing New Riff 8 Year and Stagg reveals a matchup between a modern, spice-driven craft expression and an uncut, cask-strength bruiser.
Key Specifications
| Feature | New Riff 8 Year | Stagg |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill 1 | 65% corn, 30% rye, 5% malted barley | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | 8 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 130 proof (65% ABV) +30 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$65 – $70 ~$28 less | ~$70 – $120 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Limited |
- Stagg 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.
Stagg
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
New Riff 8 Year Stagg
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 5/10 heat: New Riff 8 Year 5 out of 10, Stagg 10 out of 10
oak 7/9 oak: New Riff 8 Year 7 out of 10, Stagg 9 out of 10
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: New Riff 8 Year 6 out of 10, Stagg 7 out of 10
spice 8/7 spice: New Riff 8 Year 8 out of 10, Stagg 7 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: New Riff 8 Year 3 out of 10, Stagg 4 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: New Riff 8 Year 5 out of 10, Stagg 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Proof and heat dominate the difference.
- 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.
- Stagg: Uncut and unfiltered Buffalo Trace at a proof that demands respect. Dark chocolate, espresso and charred oak arrive with genuine heat, and a few drops of water unlock a surprising amount of fruit.
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 Stagg if you want the biggest, hottest, most concentrated expression of the Buffalo Trace profile with significantly more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (New Riff 8 Year); neat (Stagg).