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New Riff Bottled-in-Bond vs Old Forester 1870 Original Batch
On paper New Riff Bottled-in-Bond and Old Forester 1870 Original Batch are near neighbours — both high-rye bourbons — so proof (100 vs. 90) is what actually decides it.
Key Specifications
| Feature | New Riff Bottled-in-Bond | Old Forester 1870 Original Batch |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 65% corn, 30% rye, 5% malted barley | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley |
| Age | 4 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) +10 proof | 90 proof (45% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$38 – $45 ~$9 less | ~$45 – $55 |
- 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.
Old Forester 1870 Original Batch
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
New Riff Bottled-in-Bond Old Forester 1870 Original Batch
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 9/4 spice: New Riff Bottled-in-Bond 9 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 4 out of 10
sweetness 4/7 sweetness: New Riff Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 7 out of 10
heat 6/3 heat: New Riff Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 3 out of 10
fruit 5/6 fruit: New Riff Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/2 nuttiness: New Riff Bottled-in-Bond 3 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 2 out of 10
oak 5/5 oak: New Riff Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, Old Forester 1870 Original Batch 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Rye spice is the dividing line here.
- 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.
- Old Forester 1870 Original Batch: The first bottle in Old Forester's Whiskey Row Series, recreating the founder's habit of blending barrels from three warehouses. It is the lightest of the series, caramel sweet and easy.
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 slightly lower price point.
- Go with Old Forester 1870 Original Batch if you want the gentlest, most easygoing pour in the Whiskey Row Series.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned, cocktails (New Riff Bottled-in-Bond); neat, rocks, highball (Old Forester 1870 Original Batch).