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Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond vs New Riff Bottled-in-Bond
Comparing Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 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 | Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond | 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 | 4 years | 4 years |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$16 – $22 ~$23 less | ~$38 – $45 |
- Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 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
Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
New Riff Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond New Riff Bottled-in-Bond
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 5/9 spice: Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, New Riff Bottled-in-Bond 9 out of 10
sweetness 6/4 sweetness: Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10, New Riff Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10
fruit 4/5 fruit: Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10, New Riff Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
heat 5/6 heat: Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, New Riff Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10
nuttiness 4/3 nuttiness: Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10, New Riff Bottled-in-Bond 3 out of 10
oak 5/5 oak: Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10, New Riff Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
The gap between these two is mostly about spice.
- Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond: A bonded 100-proof bourbon at a price that barely seems possible, though distribution is patchy outside Kentucky. Unremarkable in the best way: it does everything a bourbon should and nothing extra.
- 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 Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond if you want a bonded Kentucky bourbon for under twenty dollars, if you can find it in your state.
- Go with New Riff Bottled-in-Bond if you want aggressive rye spice and a dry, herbal profile from a modern craft distillery with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Very Old Barton Bottled-in-Bond); neat, old-fashioned, cocktails (New Riff Bottled-in-Bond).