Compare
New Riff Single Barrel vs Penelope Architect
Comparing New Riff Single Barrel and Penelope Architect reveals a matchup between a modern, spice-driven craft expression and a sourced, even-keeled blend.
Key Specifications
| Feature | New Riff Single Barrel | Penelope Architect |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Four-Grain Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 65% corn, 30% rye, 5% malted barley | 75% corn, 7% rye, 15% wheat, 3% malted barley |
| Age | 5 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 105 proof (52.5% ABV) | 104 proof (52% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$55 – $70 | ~$60 – $70 |
- 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.
Penelope Architect
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
New Riff Single Barrel Penelope Architect
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 4/7 sweetness: New Riff Single Barrel 4 out of 10, Penelope Architect 7 out of 10
spice 9/6 spice: New Riff Single Barrel 9 out of 10, Penelope Architect 6 out of 10
oak 6/5 oak: New Riff Single Barrel 6 out of 10, Penelope Architect 5 out of 10
fruit 5/6 fruit: New Riff Single Barrel 5 out of 10, Penelope Architect 6 out of 10
heat 7/6 heat: New Riff Single Barrel 7 out of 10, Penelope Architect 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: New Riff Single Barrel 3 out of 10, Penelope Architect 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The clearest split is how sweet each one drinks.
- 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.
- Penelope Architect: Penelope's four-grain blend finished with French oak staves chosen for their tannin. The French oak adds berry, cherry and warm spice to a vanilla-heavy base.
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.
- Go with Penelope Architect if you want a four-grain bourbon with a French oak finish that adds berries and warm spice.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (New Riff Single Barrel); neat, old-fashioned (Penelope Architect).