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Rowan's Creek vs New Riff Bottled-in-Bond
Comparing Rowan's Creek and New Riff Bottled-in-Bond reveals a matchup between a traditional, even-keeled Kentucky staple and a modern, spice-driven craft expression.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Rowan's Creek | New Riff Bottled-in-Bond |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | Traditional Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill 1 | Not disclosed | 65% corn, 30% rye, 5% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 4 years |
| Proof | 100.1 proof (50.0% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$40 – $50 | ~$38 – $45 |
- Rowan's Creek does not publish an official mash bill.
- US shelf prices as of 2026-10; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Rowan's Creek
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
New Riff Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Rowan's Creek New Riff Bottled-in-Bond
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
sweetness 6/4 sweetness: Rowan's Creek 6 out of 10, New Riff Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10
spice 7/9 spice: Rowan's Creek 7 out of 10, New Riff Bottled-in-Bond 9 out of 10
oak 4/5 oak: Rowan's Creek 4 out of 10, New Riff Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
fruit 4/5 fruit: Rowan's Creek 4 out of 10, New Riff Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
heat 5/6 heat: Rowan's Creek 5 out of 10, New Riff Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10
nuttiness 2/3 nuttiness: Rowan's Creek 2 out of 10, New Riff Bottled-in-Bond 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The clearest split is how sweet each one drinks.
- 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.
- 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 Rowan's Creek if you want an herbal, minty, rye-forward Willett bottling.
- Go with New Riff Bottled-in-Bond if you want aggressive rye spice and a dry, herbal profile from a modern craft distillery.
Best enjoyed neat, old-fashioned, cocktails (Rowan's Creek); neat, old-fashioned, cocktails (New Riff Bottled-in-Bond).