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New Riff Distilling announced a new addition to its award-winning spirits portfolio, a new Malted Rye Whiskey, bottled in bond without chill filtration. Made with 100% malted rye grain and aged six years, New Riff continues to explore the world of rye whiskey with this latest release.
“Our Malted Rye presents plenty of spice but in a much more sophisticated fashion than the intensity of typical rye whiskeys,” said co-founder Jay Erisman. “We think of it as a malted whiskey first and a rye whiskey second. It’s elegant — graceful, even.”
Malted rye is rye grain that has undergone the malting process, during which grain is moistened and begins to germinate, creating enzymes in the seed that convert starches to sugars. Nearly any grain can be malted, although barley is the most common, and the process alters and refines the flavor.
“We thought if rye whiskey is spicy, maybe malted rye would be super spicy — but that’s not how it turned out at all,” Erisman said. “The typically spicy flavor of the rye becomes polished, refined and subtle.”
On the nose, Erisman describes savory, floral fruits, powdered sugar, balanced oak and vanilla fruits like plum skin and pear, with everything complex and layered. The palate is plump and rounded, with finely dovetailed elegant spices, saltwater taffy, fruits, clove and an interesting toasty-malty note. The finish is “focused spice with clove and pink peppercorn, elegant and refined.”
When the distillery mashed its first batch of malted rye whiskey in December 2014, they weren’t sure what to expect. Inspired by an early whiskey mentor who described 100% malted rye as his favorite whiskey — New Riff set about making their own.
New Riff Malted Rye Whiskey will initially be released in Kentucky, followed by wider distribution by the end of 2021. Suggested retail price is $59.99.
