The Incredible New Riff is Back:
Bottled-in-Bond Stunners at Killer Pricing
“Easily one of the most exciting new distillers in the Bluegrass State … This isn’t your run-of-the-mill craft distillery. This is a proper, modern, Kentucky-style distillery.”
— David Othenin-Girard, K&L Spirits Buyer
Anyone who’s followed our spirits department closely over the past few years is no doubt familiar with our unbridled enthusiasm for Kentucky’s New Riff distillery. They’re turning out incredible whiskeys that remain true to their Bluegrass roots, all for prices that will make any veteran of today’s bourbon market smile from ear to ear. For many of our most devoted spirits aficionados, the Bottled-in-Bond offerings have been the go-to standard from this dynamic distillery. As spirits buyer Andrew Whiteley explains, “I love the combination of richness and spice in the BiB bourbon … the high rye content (30%) really amps up the experience.” Speaking of rye, David Othenin-Girard declares, “While everyone is talking about the New Riff bourbons, I think it’s the Bottled-in-Bond Rye that’s secretly their most exciting product.” We’d also be remiss if we didn’t mention the Single Barrel Rye that made it onto Whisky Advocate’s Top 20 Whiskies of 2019 list, a stellar bottling at less than $50. These New Riff beauties always sell out quickly when we take in a new supply, so anyone wanting to see what all the hype is about should beat a quick path to lock in their orders today. At such outstanding pricing, you have every reason to dive in and go big.
New Riff Bottled-In-Bond Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (750ml) ($39.99)
Whisky Advocate: “Fresh and delicate on the nose, with stone fruit—especially peaches—white pepper, orange Creamsicle, and spice. A generous oak backbone provides the foundation for plums, nectarines, black pepper, clove, chamomile tea, and piney cedar that sweeps into a dry oak, cocoa, iced-tea finish. Although a bit hot at times, the balance and array of flavors is an outstanding coup for this young distillery. (SSB, Winter 2018)”
K&L Notes: Quite frankly, there isn’t a project in Kentucky as exciting as New Riff if you’re a classic bourbon fan. Ken Lewis, Jay Erisman, and their incredible team have set out to make Kentucky bourbon and rye in a very traditional manner, but with more flexibiltiy than the big boys in the state, so they have the ability to riff on those classics for incredible special releases. The distillery is committed to their core products always being bottled in bond, the world’s strictest legal standard for spirits production. They’ve actually gone a step further and made non-chillfiltration one of their core tenets. They’re all about maximizing flavor. The flagship BiB bourbon is a high-rye mashbill that brings a punchy spice without sacrificing that sweet caramel and vanilla profile that has made bourbon such a beloved beverage. The quality is off the charts, everything is well aged (4 years is the minimum ever released by the distillery), the vibe is fun, and the price is right. In short, New Riff is the best new distillery to open in Kentucky in decades.
David Othenin-Girard | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: September 26, 2019
Easily one of the most exciting new distillers in the Bluegrass State, and we’re proud to be the partner for these incredible products. This isn’t your run-of-the-mill craft distillery. This is a proper, modern, Kentucky-style distillery. It’s not a boutique operation, working on experiments and trying to reinvent the wheel. They’re just cranking out great whiskey, and we’re along for the ride. The flagship BiB bourbon is extremely well balanced and proof-positive that craft whiskey doesn’t need to be old to be delicious. I’m not sure if they’re heat-cycling these warehouses, but they are rubbing all the edges of this little gem. A soft nose of sweet tea, deep oak, caramelized orange peel, and hints of earthy maltiness. On the palate, it’s somewhat tropical, with a strawberry candy front palate building into a strong spice toward the back. It’s not a slouch and definitely has a spice backbone that’s going to suit lovers of Four Roses or Wild Turkey just fine. Despite the name, New Riff isn’t new school at all. Just great classic bourbon from an independent distillery that we’re unbelievably lucky to be a part of.
Andrew Whiteley | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: August 20, 2019
The importance of what New Riff has done can’t be stated in a single review. The true magnitude their accomplishments can only be understood when looking at the larger picture of the American whiskey industry and where they fit into it. As with any whiskey though, the story isn’t fully told until you get it in your glass and judge for yourself. I love the combination of richness and spice in the bourbon. In particular, the high rye content (30%) really amps up the experience. While the sweet vanillans and caramels of the barrel create a base for the whiskey, it’s the high-toned peaks of rye aromatics that make the pour sing. Pepper and cinnamon abound, but the touch of dried alfalfa adds the savor needed to make it a complete drinking experience, not just a sweet and spice bomb. The finish lingers, both long and well rounded. Perfect at 100 proof, as required by the Bottled-In-Bond Act of 1897, you have many options for enjoying this one. Neat is never a bad idea, but the savory notes play extremely well with vermouth if you want to mix up some cocktails. There is enough punch that a little water or ice isn’t going to dilute it past the point of intense aromatics and flavor.
New Riff Bottled In Bond Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey (750ml) (Previously $45) ($39.99)
92 points Whisky Advocate: “New Riff’s first whiskey releases were all bottled in bond from the start—a bold move for a brand new distillery. This rye proves it was the right decision. Complex and compelling, it shows maturity while retaining liveliness and verve. Grassy and herbal on the nose, it also has orange, cedar, sassafras, rose petals, and syrupy blackberries. The medium-weight palate balances clove, cedar oil, orange, berries, bubble gum, and cinnamon, which melt into an herbaceous, nutty, chocolate-rich finish. The patient drinker is rewarded, as aromas and flavors develop beautifully in the glass. (SSB, Winter 2019)”
K&L Notes: Named the #17 Best Whiskey of the Year by Whisky Advocate in 2019! Jacob Grier from The Distiller writes: “There’s a lot to like about this New Riff: It’s a bottled-in-bond rye with an invitingly fruity nose that leads into flavors of chestnut, vanilla, and a touch of salted caramel, all backed by plentiful rye spice. It’s an impressive debut rye for the distillery and a welcome addition to the category.” If you love rye whiskey, New Riff’s Straight Rye is a must-try. The unique mashbill is a riff on the classic MGP 95/5. Instead of 5% malted barley, they actually use 5% malted rye, making it a 100% rye mashbill without sacrificing the enzematic action of malt. It’s also a fitting tribute to Larry Ebersold, the master distiller at MGP for decades who helped design New Riff’s distillery. The lineage is impeccable, and the whiskey is even better.
David Othenin-Girard | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: September 26, 2019
While everyone is talking about the New Riff bourbons, I think it’s the Bottled-in-Bond Rye that’s secretly their most exciting product. New Riff bourbons are high-rye already, but they follow the standard Kentucky process. With the rye, New Riff is actually riffing a bit on the classic Larry Ebersold Seagram’s mashbill that’s made the rye from the distillery down river so famous. This is 100% rye with 5% of that being malted rye. The resulting whisky is earthy and complex. It doesn’t have the obvious mint qualities of some other 100% ryes, instead replacing those with a dark underbrush aroma that’s really appealing. Still, an evergreen quality and some sweet oak give this an obvious forest essence that I think will become a hallmark of New Riff’s wonderful ryes. The palate is very forgiving without relinquishing the savoriness, but offering tons of flambéed citrus, roasting herbs, Manuka honey, and a round, creamy texture. This one loves a bit of water.
Andrew Whiteley | K&L Staff Member | Review Date: August 20, 2019
When you start a new distillery, it’s not uncommon (for the savvy operators) to hire a longtime industry pro to make sure the setup of the facility is up to snuff. If you’re really dedicated to making great whiskey, you hire the best. If you’re dedicated to making great rye, that means you find the man who has a reasonable claim to having distilled more rye whiskey than anyone on earth. Larry Ebersold spent 40+ years making whiskey at what is today known as MGP, at one time the largest whiskey distillery on the planet, and he is responsible for making an enormous portion of the bourbon and rye available on the market today. The investment in great people has paid off in a big way for New Riff. They let Larry order up the “small” distillery of his dreams and implemented a few new ideas he had that were not in the cards at a massive facility like MGP. A bit unusual in that it is 100% rye (95% rye and 5% malted rye), this is a dissertation on why rye is such a compelling distillation grain. It’s both spicy in flavor and plush on the palate. There is a small floral and grassy component that is intense but not perfumy or overly sweet. The cinnamon and pepper that is so clear in the high-rye bourbon counterintuitively melts into the core of this 100% rye. Bottled in bond, this is a masterpiece and rightly deserves to be where New Riff hangs their hat.
New Riff Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey (750ml) ($49.99)
92 points Whisky Advocate: “This presents a pleasant nose of fresh-baked muffins, honey-dipped apples, powdered sugar, raisin bread, baking spice, and cooked black cherries. Big and spicy, but smooth on the palate, with flavors of dark fruit and bitter chocolate, grape jam, blackcurrants, herbs, cola, and dark berries. The finish offers richness and length, with vanilla notes, spice, and freshly baked apple pie. This is a big, solid whiskey, beautifully structured, and carries its proof superbly. *Top 20 Whiskies of 2019* (DF, Spring 2020)”
K&L Notes: From Breaking Bourbon: “New Riff Distilling was founded in 2014 by Ken Lewis and Jay Erisman. Located in Newport, Kentucky, it’s just on the other side of the river from Cincinnati, Ohio. The distillery’s parking lot is shared by a familiar establishment—The Party Source—a mega-sized spirits retailer (and more) known for fair prices, variety, and single-barrel selections. The retail side being Lewis’ first foray into the spirits world, which began in the 1980’s, it eventually led to his success building The Party Source and ultimately selling it back to his employees. The Party Source is also where Lewis first met Erisman, who served as the The Party Source’s Fine Spirits manager. This experience ultimately took them down the path that would eventually become New Riff Distilling.”
