The Whiskey Reviewer A World of Whiskey, Poured Every Weekday
By Douglas Fraser
Grade: C+
New Riff Bottled In Bond Rye Whiskey
(Credit: New Riff Distillery)
New Riff Distilling was established in 2014 in Newport, KY, across the Ohio River from Cincinnati. This medium-sized distillery is independently owned, committed to the standards set by the Bottled in Bond Act of 1897, and to bottling without any chill filtration. They draw their water from a private well, which they drilled under their property adjacent to the Ohio River, and have a line of gins, and bonded and single barrel bourbon and rye whiskeys.
The Whiskey
New Riff Kentucky Straight Bottled in Bond Rye Whiskey is aged four years is American Standard Barrels. The whiskey is made of 100% rye (95% rye and 5% malted rye), and bottled at the bonded standard of 100 proof. When I first tasted New Riff Rye it was quite pleasant, however after just a few seconds on my palate the rye spice intensified to an almost unbearable sensation. I preferred it much more with water added.
Color: Dark Bronze
Nose: Black licorice, lemon pepper, oak, dark chocolate, orange peel, and mint.
Palate: Peppery, charred oak, vanilla, cinnamon spice, and rye spice.
Finish: Long and full of rye spice, oak, and fading sweetness.
With added water, hints of vanilla and caramel arise on the nose. On the palate the spice is gentler, and hints of toffee become present. The finish becomes a little sweeter with hints of brown sugar.
The Price
New Riff Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey can be found for $50.
