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New Riff Bottled-in-Bond vs Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond
On paper New Riff Bottled-in-Bond and Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond are near neighbours — both high-rye bourbons — so price (~$38 – $45 vs. ~$45 – $55) is what actually decides it.
Key Specifications
| Feature | New Riff Bottled-in-Bond | Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 4 years |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 100 proof (50% 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 1897 Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
New Riff Bottled-in-Bond Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 4/7 sweetness: New Riff Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10
spice 9/6 spice: New Riff Bottled-in-Bond 9 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10
oak 5/7 oak: New Riff Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10
heat 6/5 heat: New Riff Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: New Riff Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: New Riff Bottled-in-Bond 3 out of 10, Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The clearest split is how sweet each one drinks.
- 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 1897 Bottled-in-Bond: The bonded entry in the Whiskey Row series and a noticeable step up in density from the standard 100. More oak and more weight, though the price gap to the 100 proof is harder to justify than the flavour gap suggests.
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 1897 Bottled-in-Bond if you want a bonded, denser take on the Old Forester profile with more barrel behind it.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned, cocktails (New Riff Bottled-in-Bond); neat, old-fashioned (Old Forester 1897 Bottled-in-Bond).