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New Riff Bottled-in-Bond vs Old Forester 86 Proof
Comparing New Riff Bottled-in-Bond and Old Forester 86 Proof is a closer contest than it looks — both are high-rye bourbons, separated mainly by proof (100 vs. 86).
Key Specifications
| Feature | New Riff Bottled-in-Bond | Old Forester 86 Proof |
|---|---|---|
| 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) +14 proof | 86 proof (43% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$38 – $45 | ~$20 – $26 ~$19 less |
- 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 86 Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
New Riff Bottled-in-Bond Old Forester 86 Proof
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 9/5 spice: New Riff Bottled-in-Bond 9 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 5 out of 10
heat 6/3 heat: New Riff Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 3 out of 10
sweetness 4/6 sweetness: New Riff Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 6 out of 10
oak 5/4 oak: New Riff Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 4 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: New Riff Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: New Riff Bottled-in-Bond 3 out of 10, Old Forester 86 Proof 3 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 86 Proof: The entry bottling and the cheapest way to meet the Old Forester banana-and-caramel signature. Thin at 86 proof, but it costs very little and mixes well.
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 with more proof behind it.
- Go with Old Forester 86 Proof if you want the Old Forester house character at the lowest possible price.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned, cocktails (New Riff Bottled-in-Bond); cocktails, highball, rocks (Old Forester 86 Proof).