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Four Roses Bourbon vs New Riff Bottled-in-Bond
Comparing Four Roses Bourbon and New Riff Bottled-in-Bond reveals a matchup between a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple and a modern, spice-driven craft expression.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Four Roses Bourbon | New Riff Bottled-in-Bond |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 75% corn, 20% rye, 5% malted barley | 65% corn, 30% rye, 5% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 4 years |
| Proof | 80 proof (40% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +20 proof |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$22 – $28 ~$17 less | ~$38 – $45 |
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Four Roses Bourbon
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
New Riff Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Four Roses Bourbon New Riff Bottled-in-Bond
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 5/9 spice: Four Roses Bourbon 5 out of 10, New Riff Bottled-in-Bond 9 out of 10
heat 2/6 heat: Four Roses Bourbon 2 out of 10, New Riff Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10
sweetness 6/4 sweetness: Four Roses Bourbon 6 out of 10, New Riff Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10
oak 3/5 oak: Four Roses Bourbon 3 out of 10, New Riff Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
fruit 6/5 fruit: Four Roses Bourbon 6 out of 10, New Riff Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Four Roses Bourbon 3 out of 10, New Riff Bottled-in-Bond 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Rye spice is the dividing line here.
- Four Roses Bourbon: The yellow label entry point, blending all ten Four Roses recipes at a gentle 80 proof. Light and fruity to a fault, but the house floral character is already recognisable and it mixes beautifully.
- 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 Four Roses Bourbon if you want the Four Roses fruit-and-floral signature at its lightest and cheapest.
- 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 cocktails, highball, rocks (Four Roses Bourbon); neat, old-fashioned, cocktails (New Riff Bottled-in-Bond).