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Bulleit Bourbon vs New Riff Bottled-in-Bond
On paper Bulleit Bourbon and New Riff Bottled-in-Bond are near neighbours — both high-rye bourbons — so proof (90 vs. 100) is what actually decides it.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Bulleit Bourbon | New Riff Bottled-in-Bond |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 68% corn, 28% rye, 4% malted barley | 65% corn, 30% rye, 5% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 4 years |
| Proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +10 proof |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$25 – $32 ~$13 less | ~$38 – $45 |
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Bulleit Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
New Riff Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Bulleit Bourbon New Riff Bottled-in-Bond
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 7/9 spice: Bulleit Bourbon 7 out of 10, New Riff Bottled-in-Bond 9 out of 10
heat 4/6 heat: Bulleit Bourbon 4 out of 10, New Riff Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10
sweetness 5/4 sweetness: Bulleit Bourbon 5 out of 10, New Riff Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10
oak 5/5 oak: Bulleit Bourbon 5 out of 10, New Riff Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: Bulleit Bourbon 5 out of 10, New Riff Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Bulleit Bourbon 3 out of 10, New Riff Bottled-in-Bond 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Rye spice is the dividing line here.
- Bulleit Bourbon: The bottle that put high-rye bourbon in every cocktail bar in the country. Peppery and dry with the familiar MGP dill note, and it earns its place behind the bar more than in a glass on its own.
- New Riff Bottled-in-Bond: At 30% rye this is about as spice-forward as bourbon gets before becoming rye whiskey. Peppery and herbal with mint and dill, non-chill-filtered for texture, and noticeably dry rather than sweet.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Bulleit Bourbon if you want a dry, peppery, high-rye bourbon built for cocktails and available absolutely everywhere at a lower price point.
- Go with New Riff Bottled-in-Bond if you want aggressive rye spice and a dry, herbal profile from a modern craft distillery with more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed old-fashioned, cocktails, highball (Bulleit Bourbon); neat, old-fashioned, cocktails (New Riff Bottled-in-Bond).