Compare
New Riff Bottled-in-Bond vs Kentucky Owl Batch 12
Comparing New Riff Bottled-in-Bond and Kentucky Owl Batch 12 reveals a matchup between a modern, spice-driven craft expression and an uncut, cask-strength bruiser.
Key Specifications
| Feature | New Riff Bottled-in-Bond | Kentucky Owl Batch 12 |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill 1 | 65% corn, 30% rye, 5% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | 4 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 115.8 proof (57.9% ABV) +16 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$38 – $45 ~$309 less | ~$300 – $400 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Limited |
- Kentucky Owl Batch 12 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
New Riff Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Kentucky Owl Batch 12
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
New Riff Bottled-in-Bond Kentucky Owl Batch 12
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 5/8 oak: New Riff Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, Kentucky Owl Batch 12 8 out of 10
sweetness 4/6 sweetness: New Riff Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10, Kentucky Owl Batch 12 6 out of 10
spice 9/7 spice: New Riff Bottled-in-Bond 9 out of 10, Kentucky Owl Batch 12 7 out of 10
fruit 5/4 fruit: New Riff Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, Kentucky Owl Batch 12 4 out of 10
heat 6/7 heat: New Riff Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10, Kentucky Owl Batch 12 7 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: New Riff Bottled-in-Bond 3 out of 10, Kentucky Owl Batch 12 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Barrel influence is the main separator.
- 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.
- 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.
Which One Should You Choose?
- 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.
- Go with Kentucky Owl Batch 12 if you want a spicy, leathery, high-end blended bourbon with more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned, cocktails (New Riff Bottled-in-Bond); neat (Kentucky Owl Batch 12).