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Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel vs New Riff Single Barrel
On paper Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel and New Riff Single Barrel are near neighbours — both high-rye bourbons — so proof (110 vs. 105) is what actually decides it.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel | New Riff Single Barrel |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | No age statement | 5 years |
| Proof | 110 proof (55% ABV) +5 proof | 105 proof (52.5% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$55 – $70 | ~$55 – $70 |
| Availability | Limited | Widely available easier to find |
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
New Riff Single Barrel
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel New Riff Single Barrel
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 6/4 sweetness: Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 6 out of 10, New Riff Single Barrel 4 out of 10
oak 8/6 oak: Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 8 out of 10, New Riff Single Barrel 6 out of 10
spice 8/9 spice: Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 8 out of 10, New Riff Single Barrel 9 out of 10
fruit 4/5 fruit: Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 4 out of 10, New Riff Single Barrel 5 out of 10
heat 7/7 heat: Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 7 out of 10, New Riff Single Barrel 7 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel 3 out of 10, New Riff Single Barrel 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The clearest split is how sweet each one drinks.
- 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.
- 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.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel if you want concentrated Wild Turkey character with single-barrel variation and real texture.
- 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.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Russell’s Reserve Single Barrel); neat, old-fashioned (New Riff Single Barrel).