Compare
Russell’s Reserve 10 Year vs New Riff 8 Year
On paper Russell’s Reserve 10 Year and New Riff 8 Year are near neighbours — both high-rye bourbons — so price (~$40 – $50 vs. ~$65 – $70) is what actually decides it.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Russell’s Reserve 10 Year | New Riff 8 Year |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley | 65% corn, 30% rye, 5% malted barley |
| Age | 10 years +2 yr | 8 years |
| Proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +10 proof |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$40 – $50 ~$23 less | ~$65 – $70 |
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Russell’s Reserve 10 Year
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
New Riff 8 Year
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Russell’s Reserve 10 Year New Riff 8 Year
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 6/8 spice: Russell’s Reserve 10 Year 6 out of 10, New Riff 8 Year 8 out of 10
oak 8/7 oak: Russell’s Reserve 10 Year 8 out of 10, New Riff 8 Year 7 out of 10
fruit 4/5 fruit: Russell’s Reserve 10 Year 4 out of 10, New Riff 8 Year 5 out of 10
heat 4/5 heat: Russell’s Reserve 10 Year 4 out of 10, New Riff 8 Year 5 out of 10
sweetness 6/6 sweetness: Russell’s Reserve 10 Year 6 out of 10, New Riff 8 Year 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Russell’s Reserve 10 Year 3 out of 10, New Riff 8 Year 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The gap between these two is mostly about spice.
- Russell’s Reserve 10 Year: Ten years of Wild Turkey at a restrained 90 proof, which trades the 101's punch for polish. More oak and more composure, and one of the better age-stated bottles at its price.
- New Riff 8 Year: The older, deeper version of New Riff's bonded bourbon. Same 30% rye recipe, but eight years add richer oak and darker sugar while keeping the spice front and center.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Russell’s Reserve 10 Year if you want an age-stated, oak-forward Wild Turkey with the volume turned down at a lower price point.
- Go with New Riff 8 Year if you want an older, deeper take on New Riff's spicy high-rye recipe with more proof behind it and with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Russell’s Reserve 10 Year); neat, old-fashioned (New Riff 8 Year).