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New Riff Single Barrel vs Woodford Reserve Double Oaked
On paper New Riff Single Barrel and Woodford Reserve Double Oaked are near neighbours — both high-rye bourbons — so proof (105 vs. 90.4) is what actually decides it.
Key Specifications
| Feature | New Riff Single Barrel | Woodford Reserve Double Oaked |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 65% corn, 30% rye, 5% malted barley | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | 5 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 105 proof (52.5% ABV) +15 proof | 90.4 proof (45.2% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$55 – $70 | ~$50 – $62 ~$7 less |
- 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.
Woodford Reserve Double Oaked
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
New Riff Single Barrel Woodford Reserve Double Oaked
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 4/8 sweetness: New Riff Single Barrel 4 out of 10, Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 8 out of 10
spice 9/5 spice: New Riff Single Barrel 9 out of 10, Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 5 out of 10
oak 6/9 oak: New Riff Single Barrel 6 out of 10, Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 9 out of 10
heat 7/4 heat: New Riff Single Barrel 7 out of 10, Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 4 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: New Riff Single Barrel 5 out of 10, Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: New Riff Single Barrel 3 out of 10, Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 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.
- Woodford Reserve Double Oaked: A second barrel, deeply toasted, and the result is unashamedly dessert-like. Maple and caramelised sugar with heavy wood — polarising if you want restraint, excellent if you want sweetness.
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 Woodford Reserve Double Oaked if you want an overtly sweet, heavily oaked, dessert-leaning bourbon at a slightly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (New Riff Single Barrel); neat, rocks (Woodford Reserve Double Oaked).