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New Riff Bottled-in-Bond vs Stagg
Comparing New Riff Bottled-in-Bond and Stagg reveals a matchup between a modern, spice-driven craft expression and an uncut, cask-strength bruiser.
Key Specifications
| Feature | New Riff Bottled-in-Bond | 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 | 4 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 130 proof (65% ABV) +30 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$38 – $45 ~$54 less | ~$70 – $120 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Limited |
- Stagg does not publish an official mash bill.
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
New Riff Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Stagg
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
New Riff Bottled-in-Bond Stagg
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 5/9 oak: New Riff Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, Stagg 9 out of 10
heat 6/10 heat: New Riff Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10, Stagg 10 out of 10
sweetness 4/7 sweetness: New Riff Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10, Stagg 7 out of 10
spice 9/7 spice: New Riff Bottled-in-Bond 9 out of 10, Stagg 7 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: New Riff Bottled-in-Bond 3 out of 10, Stagg 4 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: New Riff Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, Stagg 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Barrel influence is the main separator.
- New Riff Bottled-in-Bond: At 30% rye this is about as spice-forward as bourbon gets before becoming rye whiskey. Peppery and herbal with mint and dill, non-chill-filtered for texture, and noticeably dry rather than sweet.
- 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 Bottled-in-Bond if you want aggressive rye spice and a dry, herbal profile from a modern craft distillery at a significantly lower price point.
- 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, cocktails (New Riff Bottled-in-Bond); neat (Stagg).