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Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond vs New Riff Bottled-in-Bond
Comparing Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond and New Riff Bottled-in-Bond reveals a matchup between a traditional, wheated Kentucky staple and a modern, spice-driven craft expression.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond | New Riff Bottled-in-Bond |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Wheated Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 68% corn, 20% wheat, 12% malted barley | 65% corn, 30% rye, 5% malted barley |
| Age | 9 years +5 yr | 4 years |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$110 – $180 | ~$38 – $45 ~$104 less |
| Availability | Allocated | Widely available easier to find |
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
New Riff Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond New Riff Bottled-in-Bond
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 2/9 spice: Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 2 out of 10, New Riff Bottled-in-Bond 9 out of 10
sweetness 8/4 sweetness: Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 8 out of 10, New Riff Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10
oak 7/5 oak: Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 7 out of 10, New Riff Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
heat 4/6 heat: Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10, New Riff Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10
fruit 6/5 fruit: Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10, New Riff Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 3 out of 10, New Riff Bottled-in-Bond 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Rye spice is the dividing line here.
- 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.
- 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.
Which One Should You Choose?
- 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.
- 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 significantly lower price point.
Best enjoyed neat (Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond); neat, old-fashioned, cocktails (New Riff Bottled-in-Bond).