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New Riff Single Barrel vs Rowan's Creek
Comparing New Riff Single Barrel 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 Single Barrel | Rowan's Creek |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | 65% corn, 30% rye, 5% malted barley | Not disclosed |
| Age | 5 years | No age statement |
| Proof | 105 proof (52.5% ABV) +5 proof | 100.1 proof (50.0% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$55 – $70 | ~$40 – $50 ~$18 less |
- 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 Single Barrel
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Rowan's Creek
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
New Riff Single Barrel Rowan's Creek
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 4/6 sweetness: New Riff Single Barrel 4 out of 10, Rowan's Creek 6 out of 10
spice 9/7 spice: New Riff Single Barrel 9 out of 10, Rowan's Creek 7 out of 10
oak 6/4 oak: New Riff Single Barrel 6 out of 10, Rowan's Creek 4 out of 10
heat 7/5 heat: New Riff Single Barrel 7 out of 10, Rowan's Creek 5 out of 10
fruit 5/4 fruit: New Riff Single Barrel 5 out of 10, Rowan's Creek 4 out of 10
nuttiness 3/2 nuttiness: New Riff Single Barrel 3 out of 10, Rowan's Creek 2 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Sweetness is where these two part ways.
- 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.
- 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 Single Barrel if you want the most aggressively spice-driven bourbon in this list, with single-barrel variation on top.
- Go with Rowan's Creek if you want an herbal, minty, rye-forward Willett bottling at a lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned (New Riff Single Barrel); neat, old-fashioned, cocktails (Rowan's Creek).