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Woodford Reserve vs New Riff Bottled-in-Bond
On paper Woodford Reserve and New Riff Bottled-in-Bond are near neighbours — both high-rye bourbons — so proof (90.4 vs. 100) is what actually decides it.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Woodford Reserve | New Riff Bottled-in-Bond |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | High-Rye Bourbon |
| Mash Bill | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley | 65% corn, 30% rye, 5% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 4 years |
| Proof | 90.4 proof (45.2% ABV) | 100 proof (50% ABV) +10 proof |
| Approx. Price 1 | ~$35 – $42 | ~$38 – $45 |
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Woodford Reserve
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
New Riff Bottled-in-Bond
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Flavor Profile
Woodford Reserve New Riff Bottled-in-Bond
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
spice 6/9 spice: Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10, New Riff Bottled-in-Bond 9 out of 10
sweetness 6/4 sweetness: Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10, New Riff Bottled-in-Bond 4 out of 10
heat 4/6 heat: Woodford Reserve 4 out of 10, New Riff Bottled-in-Bond 6 out of 10
oak 6/5 oak: Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10, New Riff Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
fruit 6/5 fruit: Woodford Reserve 6 out of 10, New Riff Bottled-in-Bond 5 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Woodford Reserve 3 out of 10, New Riff Bottled-in-Bond 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Rye spice is the dividing line here.
- Woodford Reserve: The most widely poured premium bourbon in America, and a genuinely well-made one. Dried fruit and cocoa over a balanced 18% rye mash, finished smooth enough to please almost anyone.
- 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 Woodford Reserve if you want a polished, widely available crowd-pleaser that never puts a foot wrong.
- Go with New Riff Bottled-in-Bond if you want aggressive rye spice and a dry, herbal profile from a modern craft distillery with slightly more proof behind it.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Woodford Reserve); neat, old-fashioned, cocktails (New Riff Bottled-in-Bond).