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Jack Daniel’s 12 Year vs New Riff Bottled-in-Bond
Comparing Jack Daniel’s 12 Year and New Riff Bottled-in-Bond reveals a matchup between a traditional, even-keeled Kentucky staple and a modern, spice-driven craft expression.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Jack Daniel’s 12 Year | New Riff Bottled-in-Bond |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Tennessee Whiskey | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 80% corn, 8% rye, 12% malted barley | 65% corn, 30% rye, 5% malted barley |
| Age | 12 years +8 yr | 4 years |
| Proof | 107 proof (53.5% ABV) +7 proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$80 – $120 | ~$38 – $45 ~$59 less |
| Availability | Limited | Widely available easier to find |
- US shelf prices as of 2026-10; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Jack Daniel’s 12 Year
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
New Riff Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Jack Daniel’s 12 Year New Riff Bottled-in-Bond
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 8/4 sweetness: Jack Daniel’s 12 Year 8 out of 10, New Riff Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10
spice 5/9 spice: Jack Daniel’s 12 Year 5 out of 10, New Riff Bottled-in-Bond 9 out of 10
oak 8/5 oak: Jack Daniel’s 12 Year 8 out of 10, New Riff Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
fruit 6/5 fruit: Jack Daniel’s 12 Year 6 out of 10, New Riff Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Jack Daniel’s 12 Year 4 out of 10, New Riff Bottled-in-Bond 3 out of 10
heat 6/6 heat: Jack Daniel’s 12 Year 6 out of 10, New Riff Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Sweetness is where these two part ways.
- Jack Daniel’s 12 Year: Twelve-year Jack Daniel's at 107 proof. Sweet and creamy, with butterscotch, pipe tobacco and seasoned oak.
- 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 Jack Daniel’s 12 Year if you want a sweet, creamy, well-aged Jack Daniel's with pipe tobacco and oak with slightly more proof behind it.
- Go with New Riff Bottled-in-Bond if you want aggressive rye spice and a dry, herbal profile from a modern craft distillery at a significantly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks (Jack Daniel’s 12 Year); neat, old-fashioned, cocktails (New Riff Bottled-in-Bond).