Compare
New Riff Single Barrel vs Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond
Put New Riff Single Barrel next to Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond and you have a contemporary, high-rye craft build set against a classic, high-wheat stalwart.
Key Specifications
| Feature | New Riff Single Barrel | Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Wheated Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 65% corn, 30% rye, 5% malted barley | 68% corn, 20% wheat, 12% malted barley |
| Age | 5 years | 9 years +4 yr |
| Proof | 105 proof (52.5% ABV) +5 proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$55 – $70 ~$83 less | ~$110 – $180 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Allocated |
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
New Riff Single Barrel
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
New Riff Single Barrel Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 9/2 spice: New Riff Single Barrel 9 out of 10, Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 2 out of 10
sweetness 4/8 sweetness: New Riff Single Barrel 4 out of 10, Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 8 out of 10
heat 7/4 heat: New Riff Single Barrel 7 out of 10, Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10
oak 6/7 oak: New Riff Single Barrel 6 out of 10, Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10
fruit 5/6 fruit: New Riff Single Barrel 5 out of 10, Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: New Riff Single Barrel 3 out of 10, Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The gap between these two is mostly about spice.
- New Riff Single Barrel: The single-barrel expression of New Riff's 30% rye mash, non-chill-filtered and at higher proof than the bonded version. As dry and peppery as bourbon gets before it stops being bourbon.
- Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond: The decanter series, released twice a year at varying ages, and Heaven Hill's most serious wheated statement. Age shows as polished oak and stewed fruit rather than tannin, but you pay handsomely for the bottle.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with New Riff Single Barrel if you want the most aggressively spice-driven bourbon in this list, with single-barrel variation on top at a significantly lower price point.
- Go with Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond if you want an aged, bonded wheater in a presentation bottle and the price is not the obstacle.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (New Riff Single Barrel); neat (Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond).