Compare
Kentucky Owl Batch 12 vs New Riff Bottled-in-Bond
Comparing Kentucky Owl Batch 12 and New Riff Bottled-in-Bond reveals a matchup between an uncut, cask-strength bruiser and a modern, spice-driven craft expression.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Kentucky Owl Batch 12 | New Riff Bottled-in-Bond |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 65% corn, 30% rye, 5% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 4 years |
| Proof | 115.8 proof (57.9% ABV) +16 proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$300 – $400 | ~$38 – $45 ~$309 less |
| Availability | Limited | Widely available easier to find |
- Kentucky Owl Batch 12 does not publish an official mash bill.
- US shelf prices as of 2026-10; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Kentucky Owl Batch 12
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
New Riff Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Kentucky Owl Batch 12 New Riff Bottled-in-Bond
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 8/5 oak: Kentucky Owl Batch 12 8 out of 10, New Riff Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
sweetness 6/4 sweetness: Kentucky Owl Batch 12 6 out of 10, New Riff Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10
spice 7/9 spice: Kentucky Owl Batch 12 7 out of 10, New Riff Bottled-in-Bond 9 out of 10
fruit 4/5 fruit: Kentucky Owl Batch 12 4 out of 10, New Riff Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
heat 7/6 heat: Kentucky Owl Batch 12 7 out of 10, New Riff Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Kentucky Owl Batch 12 3 out of 10, New Riff Bottled-in-Bond 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Barrel influence is the main separator.
- Kentucky Owl Batch 12: A high-end blend of young and older sourced Kentucky bourbons. Leather, smoky oak and caramel, with a peppery, spice-forward palate.
- 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 Kentucky Owl Batch 12 if you want a spicy, leathery, high-end blended bourbon with 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 (Kentucky Owl Batch 12); neat, old-fashioned, cocktails (New Riff Bottled-in-Bond).