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New Riff Bottled-in-Bond vs Rowan's Creek
Comparing New Riff Bottled-in-Bond and Rowan's Creek reveals a matchup between a modern, spice-driven craft expression and a traditional, even-keeled Kentucky staple.
Key Specifications
| Feature | New Riff Bottled-in-Bond | Rowan's Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 65% corn, 30% rye, 5% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | 4 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 100.1 proof (50.0% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$38 – $45 | ~$40 – $50 |
- Rowan's Creek 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.
Rowan's Creek
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
New Riff Bottled-in-Bond Rowan's Creek
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 4/6 sweetness: New Riff Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10, Rowan's Creek 6 out of 10
spice 9/7 spice: New Riff Bottled-in-Bond 9 out of 10, Rowan's Creek 7 out of 10
oak 5/4 oak: New Riff Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, Rowan's Creek 4 out of 10
fruit 5/4 fruit: New Riff Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, Rowan's Creek 4 out of 10
heat 6/5 heat: New Riff Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10, Rowan's Creek 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/2 nuttiness: New Riff Bottled-in-Bond 3 out of 10, Rowan's Creek 2 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.
- Rowan's Creek: A small-batch Willett bottling that tastes rye-forward and herbal. Honey and caramel sit under mint, hay and warm spice, with a peppermint lift on the finish.
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.
- Go with Rowan's Creek if you want an herbal, minty, rye-forward Willett bottling.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned, cocktails (New Riff Bottled-in-Bond); neat, old-fashioned, cocktails (Rowan's Creek).