Compare
New Riff 8 Year vs W.L. Weller 12 Year
Put New Riff 8 Year next to W.L. Weller 12 Year and you have a contemporary, high-rye craft build set against a classic, high-wheat stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | New Riff 8 Year | W.L. Weller 12 Year |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 65% corn, 30% rye, 5% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | 8 years | 12 years +4 yr |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) +10 proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$65 – $70 ~$58 less | ~$70 – $180 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Allocated |
- W.L. Weller 12 Year 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.
W.L. Weller 12 Year
No notes yet.
Flavor Profile
New Riff 8 Year W.L. Weller 12 Year
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 8/2 spice: New Riff 8 Year 8 out of 10, W.L. Weller 12 Year 2 out of 10
sweetness 6/8 sweetness: New Riff 8 Year 6 out of 10, W.L. Weller 12 Year 8 out of 10
heat 5/3 heat: New Riff 8 Year 5 out of 10, W.L. Weller 12 Year 3 out of 10
fruit 5/6 fruit: New Riff 8 Year 5 out of 10, W.L. Weller 12 Year 6 out of 10
oak 7/7 oak: New Riff 8 Year 7 out of 10, W.L. Weller 12 Year 7 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: New Riff 8 Year 3 out of 10, W.L. Weller 12 Year 3 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.
- W.L. Weller 12 Year: Twelve years on a wheated mash at a modest 90 proof, which is the combination that made this bottle famous. Deep caramel and baked fruit with polished rather than aggressive oak — the closest widely-discussed analogue to the Pappy profile.
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 with more proof behind it.
- Go with W.L. Weller 12 Year if you want age and elegance on a wheated mash, and you are willing to chase it.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (New Riff 8 Year); neat (W.L. Weller 12 Year).