Compare
New Riff Bottled-in-Bond vs Penelope Four Grain
Comparing New Riff Bottled-in-Bond and Penelope Four Grain reveals a matchup between a modern, spice-driven craft expression and a sourced, even-keeled blend.
Key Specifications
| Feature | New Riff Bottled-in-Bond | Penelope Four Grain |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Four-Grain Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 65% corn, 30% rye, 5% malted barley | 74% corn, 7% rye, 16% wheat, 3% malted barley |
| Age | 4 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) +20 proof | 80 proof (40% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$38 – $45 | ~$30 – $40 ~$7 less |
- Penelope Four Grain 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.
Penelope Four Grain
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
New Riff Bottled-in-Bond Penelope Four Grain
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 9/3 spice: New Riff Bottled-in-Bond 9 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 3 out of 10
heat 6/2 heat: New Riff Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 2 out of 10
sweetness 4/6 sweetness: New Riff Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 6 out of 10
oak 5/3 oak: New Riff Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 3 out of 10
nuttiness 3/4 nuttiness: New Riff Bottled-in-Bond 3 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 4 out of 10
fruit 5/5 fruit: New Riff Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, Penelope Four Grain 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.
- Penelope Four Grain: A light, low-proof blend of corn, wheat, rye and barley. Honey, almond and orchard fruit keep it sweet and easy, though it reads young and thin when sipped neat.
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 Penelope Four Grain if you want an easy, light, honeyed bourbon that mixes well at a slightly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned, cocktails (New Riff Bottled-in-Bond); highball, cocktails (Penelope Four Grain).