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Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve vs New Riff Bottled-in-Bond
Put Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve next to New Riff Bottled-in-Bond and you have a classic, high-rye stalwart set against a contemporary, high-rye craft build.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve | New Riff Bottled-in-Bond |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley | 65% corn, 30% rye, 5% malted barley |
| Age | 9 years +5 yr | 4 years |
| Proof | 120 proof (60% ABV) +20 proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$45 – $55 | ~$38 – $45 ~$9 less |
- Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve does not publish an official mash bill.
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
New Riff Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve New Riff Bottled-in-Bond
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
nuttiness 7/3 nuttiness: Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 7 out of 10, New Riff Bottled-in-Bond 3 out of 10
oak 8/5 oak: Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 8 out of 10, New Riff Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
sweetness 6/4 sweetness: Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 6 out of 10, New Riff Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10
spice 7/9 spice: Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 7 out of 10, New Riff Bottled-in-Bond 9 out of 10
fruit 3/5 fruit: Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 3 out of 10, New Riff Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
heat 8/6 heat: Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve 8 out of 10, New Riff Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Nutty, grain-driven character is the divider.
- Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve: The same nine-year Knob Creek juice bottled from a single barrel at 120 proof, and the extra strength suits it. Everything the standard bottling does, turned up — with the barrel-to-barrel variation that comes with the format.
- 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 Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve if you want the Beam profile at serious proof for well under what most barrel-strength bourbons cost with an older age statement.
- 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 slightly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve); neat, old-fashioned, cocktails (New Riff Bottled-in-Bond).