New Riff Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
New Riff · New Riff Distilling
New Riff proves that transparency and process matter more than age statements. Bottled in bond from their own distillate with a disclosed mash bill, this is Kentucky craft bourbon at its most honest. An essential baseline for understanding modern bourbon.
Kit Aromas
Nose
Caramel corn and fresh-baked bread open the nose, followed by orchard fruit and a hint of orange peel. A pleasant dusting of baking spice and toasted oak rounds things out.
Palate
Medium-bodied with a clean, grain-forward character. Brown sugar and rye spice lead, with supporting notes of cherry and vanilla custard. The mouthfeel is surprisingly full for its age.
Finish
Medium-length with a dry, spicy close. Oak tannins and a whisper of dark chocolate linger.
- Mash Bill
- 65% Corn, 30% Rye, 5% Malted Barley
- Barrel Type
- New charred American oak (53-gallon)
- Bottled in Bond
- Yes
- Single Barrel
- No
- Wheated
- No
Cocktail Suggestion
Autumn Boulevardier — 2 oz New Riff Bourbon · 1 oz sweet vermouth · 0.75 oz Campari · 1 dash orange bitters · Stir over ice, strain into a rocks glass with a large cube, garnish with an orange twist.
Food Pairing
The bourbon's caramel sweetness and rye spice complement the smoky, fatty richness of pork belly, while pickled red onion on the slider cuts through both.
Founded in 2014 in Newport, Kentucky by Ken Lewis, New Riff was built from the ground up as a dedicated bourbon distillery with a commitment to bottled-in-bond transparency and no sourcing.
Be the first to comment.
Leave a comment
New Riff Balboa Rye Bourbon
New Riff
A bourbon that earns its complexity through friction rather than finesse — the rare high-rye bourbon that tastes engineered for tension, then rewards patience with genuine grace.
New Riff Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Bottled in Bond
New Riff
New Riff's BiB is proof that transparency in production translates to transparency in the glass. The non-chill-filtered, sour mash approach with a high-rye mash bill produces a bourbon of clarity and conviction. At this price point, it overdelivers consistently.
Wathen's Single Barrel Bourbon
Wathen's
Wathen's Single Barrel is an underappreciated gem that delivers approachable complexity at a fair price. Its grain-forward sweetness and silky texture make it a natural embodiment of harvest warmth—golden, generous, and quietly confident. A bourbon that rewards patience without demanding it.
James E. Pepper Barrel Proof Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
James E. Pepper
James E. Pepper's barrel proof expression channels the brand's storied legacy — the distillery that gave us the Old Fashioned cocktail — into an uncut, unapologetic bourbon that rewards patience and purposeful sipping. At cask strength, every flavor element is bound tightly together in remarkable cohesion. This is a bourbon with deep roots and serious intent, delivering well beyond its price point.
Wyoming Whiskey Small Batch Bourbon
Wyoming Whiskey
Wyoming Whiskey proves that terroir isn't just a wine term. The high-altitude grain and mineral-rich water give this bourbon a clarity and lift that sets it apart from heavier Kentucky styles. An honest, well-made daily drinker with real character.
Widow Jane The Vaults 2024 Release Bourbon Whiskey
Widow Jane
Widow Jane's The Vaults release is a testament to how water source and blending artistry can channel terroir into bourbon. The Rosendale limestone mine water that defines Widow Jane's character is on full display here—a mineral backbone that gives this whiskey its singular sense of place. In an issue devoted to mineral memory, this bourbon proves that stone can speak through spirit.