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New Riff Single Barrel vs Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel
On paper New Riff Single Barrel and Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel are near neighbours — both high-rye bourbons — so proof (105 vs. 110) is what actually decides it.
Key Specifications
| Feature | New Riff Single Barrel | Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 65% corn, 30% rye, 5% malted barley | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | 5 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 105 proof (52.5% ABV) | 110 proof (55% ABV) +5 proof |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$55 – $70 | ~$55 – $70 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Limited |
- 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.
Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
New Riff Single Barrel Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 4/6 sweetness: New Riff Single Barrel 4 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 6 out of 10
oak 6/8 oak: New Riff Single Barrel 6 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 8 out of 10
spice 9/8 spice: New Riff Single Barrel 9 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 8 out of 10
fruit 5/4 fruit: New Riff Single Barrel 5 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 4 out of 10
heat 7/7 heat: New Riff Single Barrel 7 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 7 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: New Riff Single Barrel 3 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 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.
- Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel: Non-chill-filtered single barrels at 110 proof, and the format that store picks have made a cult of. Concentrated Wild Turkey character with a texture the standard bottlings do not have.
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 without hunting for it.
- Go with Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel if you want concentrated Wild Turkey character with single-barrel variation and real texture.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (New Riff Single Barrel); neat, old-fashioned (Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel).