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New Riff Bottled-in-Bond vs Penelope Toasted Series
On paper New Riff Bottled-in-Bond and Penelope Toasted Series are near neighbours — both high-rye bourbons — so price (~$38 – $45 vs. ~$55 – $70) is what actually decides it.
Key Specifications
| Feature | New Riff Bottled-in-Bond | Penelope Toasted Series |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 65% corn, 30% rye, 5% malted barley | 75% corn, 21% rye, 4% malted barley |
| Age | 4 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$38 – $45 ~$21 less | ~$55 – $70 |
- 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 Toasted Series
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
New Riff Bottled-in-Bond Penelope Toasted Series
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 9/5 spice: New Riff Bottled-in-Bond 9 out of 10, Penelope Toasted Series 5 out of 10
sweetness 4/7 sweetness: New Riff Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10, Penelope Toasted Series 7 out of 10
oak 5/7 oak: New Riff Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, Penelope Toasted Series 7 out of 10
fruit 5/4 fruit: New Riff Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, Penelope Toasted Series 4 out of 10
heat 6/5 heat: New Riff Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10, Penelope Toasted Series 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: New Riff Bottled-in-Bond 3 out of 10, Penelope Toasted Series 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.
- Penelope Toasted Series: Finished in a second, freshly toasted barrel, which pushes it toward toffee, roasted coffee and darker oak. The toast level changes from batch to batch.
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 lower price point.
- Go with Penelope Toasted Series if you want a toasty, coffee-and-toffee bourbon from a second-barrel finish.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned, cocktails (New Riff Bottled-in-Bond); neat, old-fashioned (Penelope Toasted Series).