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Stagg vs New Riff 8 Year
Comparing Stagg and New Riff 8 Year reveals a matchup between an uncut, cask-strength bruiser and a modern, spice-driven craft expression.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Stagg | New Riff 8 Year |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 78% corn, 10% rye, 12% malted barley | 65% corn, 30% rye, 5% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 8 years |
| Proof | 130 proof (65% ABV) +30 proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$70 – $120 | ~$65 – $70 ~$28 less |
| Availability | Limited | Widely available easier to find |
- 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
Stagg
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
New Riff 8 Year
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Stagg New Riff 8 Year
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
heat 10/5 heat: Stagg 10 out of 10, New Riff 8 Year 5 out of 10
oak 9/7 oak: Stagg 9 out of 10, New Riff 8 Year 7 out of 10
sweetness 7/6 sweetness: Stagg 7 out of 10, New Riff 8 Year 6 out of 10
spice 7/8 spice: Stagg 7 out of 10, New Riff 8 Year 8 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Stagg 4 out of 10, New Riff 8 Year 3 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Stagg 5 out of 10, New Riff 8 Year 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Proof and heat dominate the difference.
- 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.
- 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 Stagg if you want the biggest, hottest, most concentrated expression of the Buffalo Trace profile with significantly more proof behind it.
- Go with New Riff 8 Year if you want an older, deeper take on New Riff's spicy high-rye recipe at a lower price point and without hunting for it.
Best enjoyed neat (Stagg); neat, old-fashioned (New Riff 8 Year).