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New Riff Single Barrel vs Stagg
Comparing New Riff Single Barrel and Stagg reveals a matchup between a modern, spice-driven craft expression and an uncut, cask-strength bruiser.
Key Specifications
| Feature | New Riff Single Barrel | 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 | 5 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 105 proof (52.5% ABV) | 130 proof (65% ABV) +25 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$55 – $70 ~$33 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 Single Barrel
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Stagg
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
New Riff Single Barrel Stagg
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 4/7 sweetness: New Riff Single Barrel 4 out of 10, Stagg 7 out of 10
oak 6/9 oak: New Riff Single Barrel 6 out of 10, Stagg 9 out of 10
heat 7/10 heat: New Riff Single Barrel 7 out of 10, Stagg 10 out of 10
spice 9/7 spice: New Riff Single Barrel 9 out of 10, Stagg 7 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: New Riff Single Barrel 3 out of 10, Stagg 4 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: New Riff Single Barrel 5 out of 10, Stagg 5 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.
- 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 Single Barrel if you want the most aggressively spice-driven bourbon in this list, with single-barrel variation on top 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 (New Riff Single Barrel); neat (Stagg).