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New Riff 8 Year vs Wild Turkey 81
Comparing New Riff 8 Year and Wild Turkey 81 reveals a matchup between a modern, spice-driven craft expression and a traditional, even-keeled Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | New Riff 8 Year | Wild Turkey 81 |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 65% corn, 30% rye, 5% malted barley | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | 8 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) +19 proof | 81 proof (40.5% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$65 – $70 | ~$20 – $25 ~$45 less |
- Wild Turkey 81 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.
Wild Turkey 81
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
New Riff 8 Year Wild Turkey 81
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 8/4 spice: New Riff 8 Year 8 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 4 out of 10
oak 7/4 oak: New Riff 8 Year 7 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 4 out of 10
heat 5/2 heat: New Riff 8 Year 5 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 2 out of 10
fruit 5/3 fruit: New Riff 8 Year 5 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 3 out of 10
nuttiness 3/2 nuttiness: New Riff 8 Year 3 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 2 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: New Riff 8 Year 6 out of 10, Wild Turkey 81 6 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.
- Wild Turkey 81: The same mash bill and No. 4 char as Wild Turkey 101, cut to 81 proof. Honey and toffee come through clearly, but the body and spice are much lighter.
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 with more proof behind it and with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
- Go with Wild Turkey 81 if you want a lighter Wild Turkey built for mixing at a significantly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (New Riff 8 Year); highball, cocktails (Wild Turkey 81).