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Woodford Reserve Double Oaked vs New Riff 8 Year
Woodford Reserve Double Oaked and New Riff 8 Year are cut from similar cloth: two takes on high-rye bourbons, where the real difference is proof (90.4 vs. 100).
Key Specifications
| Feature | Woodford Reserve Double Oaked | New Riff 8 Year |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley | 65% corn, 30% rye, 5% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 8 years |
| Proof | 90.4 proof (45.2% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +10 proof |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$50 – $62 ~$12 less | ~$65 – $70 |
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Woodford Reserve Double Oaked
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
New Riff 8 Year
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Woodford Reserve Double Oaked New Riff 8 Year
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 5/8 spice: Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 5 out of 10, New Riff 8 Year 8 out of 10
sweetness 8/6 sweetness: Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 8 out of 10, New Riff 8 Year 6 out of 10
oak 9/7 oak: Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 9 out of 10, New Riff 8 Year 7 out of 10
heat 4/5 heat: Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 4 out of 10, New Riff 8 Year 5 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 5 out of 10, New Riff 8 Year 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Woodford Reserve Double Oaked 3 out of 10, New Riff 8 Year 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The gap between these two is mostly about spice.
- 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.
- 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 Woodford Reserve Double Oaked if you want an overtly sweet, heavily oaked, dessert-leaning bourbon at a slightly 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 slightly more proof behind it and with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Woodford Reserve Double Oaked); neat, old-fashioned (New Riff 8 Year).