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New Riff 8 Year vs Willett Pot Still Reserve
Comparing New Riff 8 Year and Willett Pot Still Reserve reveals a matchup between a modern, spice-driven craft expression and a modern, even-keeled craft expression.
Key Specifications
| Feature | New Riff 8 Year | Willett Pot Still Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| 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) +6 proof | 94 proof (47% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$65 – $70 | ~$45 – $60 ~$15 less |
- Willett Pot Still Reserve 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.
Willett Pot Still Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
New Riff 8 Year Willett Pot Still Reserve
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 8/5 spice: New Riff 8 Year 8 out of 10, Willett Pot Still Reserve 5 out of 10
sweetness 6/7 sweetness: New Riff 8 Year 6 out of 10, Willett Pot Still Reserve 7 out of 10
oak 7/6 oak: New Riff 8 Year 7 out of 10, Willett Pot Still Reserve 6 out of 10
fruit 5/6 fruit: New Riff 8 Year 5 out of 10, Willett Pot Still Reserve 6 out of 10
heat 5/4 heat: New Riff 8 Year 5 out of 10, Willett Pot Still Reserve 4 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: New Riff 8 Year 3 out of 10, Willett Pot Still Reserve 4 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.
- Willett Pot Still Reserve: Famous first for the pot-still-shaped decanter and second for the whiskey, which is a fair ordering. Pleasant, sweet and fruit-leaning, with a good deal of the price attached to the glass.
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 slightly more proof behind it and with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
- Go with Willett Pot Still Reserve if you want a distinctive bottle on the shelf and an easy, fruit-forward pour inside it at a lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (New Riff 8 Year); neat, rocks (Willett Pot Still Reserve).