Compare
New Riff Single Barrel vs Jefferson’s Very Small Batch
Comparing New Riff Single Barrel and Jefferson’s Very Small Batch reveals a matchup between a modern, spice-driven craft expression and a sourced, even-keeled blend.
Key Specifications
| Feature | New Riff Single Barrel | Jefferson’s Very Small Batch |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 65% corn, 30% rye, 5% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | 5 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 105 proof (52.5% ABV) +23 proof | 82.3 proof (41.1% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$55 – $70 | ~$28 – $36 ~$31 less |
- Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 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 Single Barrel
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Jefferson’s Very Small Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
New Riff Single Barrel Jefferson’s Very Small Batch
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 9/4 spice: New Riff Single Barrel 9 out of 10, Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 4 out of 10
heat 7/2 heat: New Riff Single Barrel 7 out of 10, Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 2 out of 10
sweetness 4/6 sweetness: New Riff Single Barrel 4 out of 10, Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 6 out of 10
oak 6/4 oak: New Riff Single Barrel 6 out of 10, Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 4 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: New Riff Single Barrel 5 out of 10, Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: New Riff Single Barrel 3 out of 10, Jefferson’s Very Small Batch 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Rye spice is the dividing line here.
- New Riff Single Barrel: The single-barrel expression of New Riff's 30% rye mash, non-chill-filtered and at higher proof than the bonded version. As dry and peppery as bourbon gets before it stops being bourbon.
- Jefferson’s Very Small Batch: A blend of sourced barrels bottled at a very gentle 82.3 proof. Easy and inoffensive, but thin enough that it is hard to recommend over bonded bottles costing less.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with New Riff Single Barrel if you want the most aggressively spice-driven bourbon in this list, with single-barrel variation on top with more proof behind it.
- Go with Jefferson’s Very Small Batch if you want an especially soft, low-proof pour and gentleness matters more than intensity at a significantly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (New Riff Single Barrel); rocks, cocktails, highball (Jefferson’s Very Small Batch).