Table Of Contents

The Details

Rating 92
Style
Whiskey
Produced In Kentucky
United States
ABV 56.9%
Availability Year Round
Price $70.00 
Reviewed By
Review Updated 2024-04-01

New Riff Sour Mash Single Malt Whiskey Review

Northern Kentucky’s New Riff Distilling is best known for its unique takes on bourbon and rye, the latter sometimes produced with nearly forgotten heritage grains. In 2023, New Riff announced it would begin releasing single malt in the 7- to 8-year range. That means the distillery started laying down barrels of malt whiskey around 2014, an effort largely kept under wraps until recently.

The first release is New Riff’s Sour Mash Single Malt Whiskey, which they’re referring to as a “Kentucky Single Malt.” By all accounts, the whiskey should qualify as an American Single Malt. It’s noteworthy the brand has chosen a different marketing path while the American Single Malt category still awaits a codified governmental designation and definition.

New Riff’s Sour Mash Single Malt features five different mash bills, which will increase to six after 2024:

  • 100 percent Maris Otter malt
  • 100 percent Golden Promise malt
  • Barleywine-style malt
  • Belgian quadrupel-style malt
  • 100 percent Scottish peated barley malt
  • 100 percent Chevallier Heirloom malted barley

All components were aged between 7 and 8 years across a variety of cask types, including (but not limited to) new charred oak, de-charred toasted oak, red wine casks, Portuguese brandy casks, and classic sherried oak casks.

According to New Riff, all fresh distillate entered casks for aging at 110 proof. The exact blends and flavor profiles will change somewhat from year to year.

That’s an eye-popping variety of liquid streams and cask types available for the distillery’s blending team. Let’s see how the final product — New Riff’s first commercially available single malt — stacks up!

New Riff Sour Mash Single Malt Whiskey review.

New Riff Sour Mash Single Malt Whiskey: Stats and Availability

Currently, the suggested retail price for New Riff’s single malt is about $70. It’s available at the distillery and select retail partners nationwide. New Riff is one of America’s largest independent craft distilleries, and its products are becoming more common on shelves in major metropolitan areas. Though the distillery has earned quite the following, it’s rare to see New Riff products listed for significantly more than MSRP. If you’re looking for its take on an American Single Malt, don’t expect to pay much more than $70. (Budget-conscious whiskey enthusiasts, rejoice.)

New Riff Sour Mash Single Malt Whiskey Review

As with all of VinePair’s whiskey reviews, this was tasted in a Glencairn glass and rested for at least five minutes.

Nose

Rich, red fruits and malted grain hit the nose simultaneously. They’re quickly followed by both white and freshly cracked black pepper, aromas that continue somewhat steadily throughout the nosing experience. The peppery aspects punctuate the other aromas, giving the whiskey an element of spice that never quite takes its foot off the pedal.

Later on comes oak influence, though it’s difficult to pin down exactly where and how the various casks types are contributing their unique scents. For example, is a particularly fruity note coming from the red wine casks, a Portuguese brandy barrel, or something else entirely? It’s worth not taking too seriously, as this nose is much more fun as a hide-and-seek with no specific answer key.

Additional scents include pine, orange oil, lightly roasted coffee beans, and a hint of pencil eraser that increases with time in the glass. (That last note might sound foreign and off-putting to many American whiskey drinkers, but it’s simply one aspect of a fairly complex set of aromas.) A few drops of water — which the brand encourages in its own tasting notes — boost the pine and rubbery notes to a significant degree.

It’s certainly a complex nose that walks a fine line between busy and balanced. Let’s see if the palate stays on path.

Taste

There’s a popular term among bourbon drinkers: “oak bomb.” At first sip, New Riff’s Kentucky single malt doesn’t have both feet in that territory, but it certainly has a toe. The wood influence is heavy, backed by a viscous mouth feel that folds in layers of oak, leather, tobacco, and charred fruit.

Another sip brings more subtle sweetness and spice. At first, it’s reminiscent of lemon tea. Fruity components include bright orange marmalade and spiced berry compote, the latter rich in clove essence. Cinnamon sugar slides thickly across the tongue and builds at the midpalate. Pepper — present throughout the nose — is present but with less impact here, balanced somewhat by the aforementioned clove and cinnamon.

There’s the tiniest hint of rubber and smoke toward the back of the palate, once again mirroring the nose.

Finish

A bold palate continues into a lengthy, thick, and warming finish. It’s an appropriate decrescendo, with citrus, spice, and light campfire smoke all lingering at the very back of the tongue and into the throat.

Adding water sweetens both the palate and finish, unlocking vanilla, caramel, and honey candy in a way not so noticeable when sip unadulterated. A few drops certainly temper the oak influence, though I’d recommend starting neat in order to find your personal sweet spot.

New Riff Sour Mash Single Malt Whiskey Rating

92/100

Recap

New Riff Sour Mash Single Malt is a whiskey with a lot to say, but only a limited window to say it all. It’s immediately appealing to fans of bold oak and spice, with enough fruit and subtle sweetness to potentially make ardent bourbon drinkers reconsider malt. However, with so much going on in one pour, it may take a few sessions to get a handle on whether this whiskey really stokes your flames. Keep a water dropper handy, and don’t be afraid to pair with a meal — especially at cask strength, these flavors will certainly hold their own.

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92
POINTS
New Riff Sour Mash Single Malt Whiskey
Northern Kentucky’s New Riff Distilling is best known for its unique takes on bourbon and rye, the latter sometimes produced with nearly forgotten heritage grains. In 2023, New Riff announced it would begin releasing single malt in the 7- to 8-year range. That means the distillery started laying down barrels of malt whiskey around 2014, an effort largely kept under wraps until recently. The first release is New Riff’s Sour Mash Single Malt Whiskey, which they’re referring to as a “Kentucky Single Malt.” By all accounts, the whiskey should qualify as an American Single Malt. It’s noteworthy the brand has chosen a different marketing path while the American Single Malt category still awaits a codified governmental designation and definition. New Riff’s Sour Mash Single Malt features five different mash bills, which will increase to six after 2024:
  • 100 percent Maris Otter malt
  • 100 percent Golden Promise malt
  • Barleywine-style malt
  • Belgian quadrupel-style malt
  • 100 percent Scottish peated barley malt
  • 100 percent Chevallier Heirloom malted barley
All components were aged between 7 and 8 years across a variety of cask types, including (but not limited to) new charred oak, de-charred toasted oak, red wine casks, Portuguese brandy casks, and classic sherried oak casks. According to New Riff, all fresh distillate entered casks for aging at 110 proof. The exact blends and flavor profiles will change somewhat from year to year. That’s an eye-popping variety of liquid streams and cask types available for the distillery’s blending team. Let’s see how the final product — New Riff’s first commercially available single malt — stacks up! New Riff Sour Mash Single Malt Whiskey review.

New Riff Sour Mash Single Malt Whiskey: Stats and Availability

Currently, the suggested retail price for New Riff’s single malt is about $70. It’s available at the distillery and select retail partners nationwide. New Riff is one of America’s largest independent craft distilleries, and its products are becoming more common on shelves in major metropolitan areas. Though the distillery has earned quite the following, it’s rare to see New Riff products listed for significantly more than MSRP. If you’re looking for its take on an American Single Malt, don’t expect to pay much more than $70. (Budget-conscious whiskey enthusiasts, rejoice.)

New Riff Sour Mash Single Malt Whiskey Review

As with all of VinePair’s whiskey reviews, this was tasted in a Glencairn glass and rested for at least five minutes.

Nose

Rich, red fruits and malted grain hit the nose simultaneously. They’re quickly followed by both white and freshly cracked black pepper, aromas that continue somewhat steadily throughout the nosing experience. The peppery aspects punctuate the other aromas, giving the whiskey an element of spice that never quite takes its foot off the pedal. Later on comes oak influence, though it’s difficult to pin down exactly where and how the various casks types are contributing their unique scents. For example, is a particularly fruity note coming from the red wine casks, a Portuguese brandy barrel, or something else entirely? It’s worth not taking too seriously, as this nose is much more fun as a hide-and-seek with no specific answer key. Additional scents include pine, orange oil, lightly roasted coffee beans, and a hint of pencil eraser that increases with time in the glass. (That last note might sound foreign and off-putting to many American whiskey drinkers, but it’s simply one aspect of a fairly complex set of aromas.) A few drops of water — which the brand encourages in its own tasting notes — boost the pine and rubbery notes to a significant degree. It’s certainly a complex nose that walks a fine line between busy and balanced. Let’s see if the palate stays on path.

Taste

There’s a popular term among bourbon drinkers: “oak bomb.” At first sip, New Riff’s Kentucky single malt doesn’t have both feet in that territory, but it certainly has a toe. The wood influence is heavy, backed by a viscous mouth feel that folds in layers of oak, leather, tobacco, and charred fruit. Another sip brings more subtle sweetness and spice. At first, it’s reminiscent of lemon tea. Fruity components include bright orange marmalade and spiced berry compote, the latter rich in clove essence. Cinnamon sugar slides thickly across the tongue and builds at the midpalate. Pepper — present throughout the nose — is present but with less impact here, balanced somewhat by the aforementioned clove and cinnamon. There’s the tiniest hint of rubber and smoke toward the back of the palate, once again mirroring the nose.

Finish

A bold palate continues into a lengthy, thick, and warming finish. It’s an appropriate decrescendo, with citrus, spice, and light campfire smoke all lingering at the very back of the tongue and into the throat. Adding water sweetens both the palate and finish, unlocking vanilla, caramel, and honey candy in a way not so noticeable when sip unadulterated. A few drops certainly temper the oak influence, though I’d recommend starting neat in order to find your personal sweet spot.

New Riff Sour Mash Single Malt Whiskey Rating

92/100

Recap

New Riff Sour Mash Single Malt is a whiskey with a lot to say, but only a limited window to say it all. It’s immediately appealing to fans of bold oak and spice, with enough fruit and subtle sweetness to potentially make ardent bourbon drinkers reconsider malt. However, with so much going on in one pour, it may take a few sessions to get a handle on whether this whiskey really stokes your flames. Keep a water dropper handy, and don’t be afraid to pair with a meal — especially at cask strength, these flavors will certainly hold their own.

Reviewed On: 04-02-2024
92
POINTS
New Riff Sour Mash Single Malt Whiskey
Northern Kentucky’s New Riff Distilling is best known for its unique takes on bourbon and rye, the latter sometimes produced with nearly forgotten heritage grains. In 2023, New Riff announced it would begin releasing single malt in the 7- to 8-year range. That means the distillery started laying down barrels of malt whiskey around 2014, an effort largely kept under wraps until recently. The first release is New Riff’s Sour Mash Single Malt Whiskey, which they’re referring to as a “Kentucky Single Malt.” By all accounts, the whiskey should qualify as an American Single Malt. It’s noteworthy the brand has chosen a different marketing path while the American Single Malt category still awaits a codified governmental designation and definition. New Riff’s Sour Mash Single Malt features five different mash bills, which will increase to six after 2024:
  • 100 percent Maris Otter malt
  • 100 percent Golden Promise malt
  • Barleywine-style malt
  • Belgian quadrupel-style malt
  • 100 percent Scottish peated barley malt
  • 100 percent Chevallier Heirloom malted barley
All components were aged between 7 and 8 years across a variety of cask types, including (but not limited to) new charred oak, de-charred toasted oak, red wine casks, Portuguese brandy casks, and classic sherried oak casks. According to New Riff, all fresh distillate entered casks for aging at 110 proof. The exact blends and flavor profiles will change somewhat from year to year. That’s an eye-popping variety of liquid streams and cask types available for the distillery’s blending team. Let’s see how the final product — New Riff’s first commercially available single malt — stacks up! New Riff Sour Mash Single Malt Whiskey review.

New Riff Sour Mash Single Malt Whiskey: Stats and Availability

Currently, the suggested retail price for New Riff’s single malt is about $70. It’s available at the distillery and select retail partners nationwide. New Riff is one of America’s largest independent craft distilleries, and its products are becoming more common on shelves in major metropolitan areas. Though the distillery has earned quite the following, it’s rare to see New Riff products listed for significantly more than MSRP. If you’re looking for its take on an American Single Malt, don’t expect to pay much more than $70. (Budget-conscious whiskey enthusiasts, rejoice.)

New Riff Sour Mash Single Malt Whiskey Review

As with all of VinePair’s whiskey reviews, this was tasted in a Glencairn glass and rested for at least five minutes.

Nose

Rich, red fruits and malted grain hit the nose simultaneously. They’re quickly followed by both white and freshly cracked black pepper, aromas that continue somewhat steadily throughout the nosing experience. The peppery aspects punctuate the other aromas, giving the whiskey an element of spice that never quite takes its foot off the pedal. Later on comes oak influence, though it’s difficult to pin down exactly where and how the various casks types are contributing their unique scents. For example, is a particularly fruity note coming from the red wine casks, a Portuguese brandy barrel, or something else entirely? It’s worth not taking too seriously, as this nose is much more fun as a hide-and-seek with no specific answer key. Additional scents include pine, orange oil, lightly roasted coffee beans, and a hint of pencil eraser that increases with time in the glass. (That last note might sound foreign and off-putting to many American whiskey drinkers, but it’s simply one aspect of a fairly complex set of aromas.) A few drops of water — which the brand encourages in its own tasting notes — boost the pine and rubbery notes to a significant degree. It’s certainly a complex nose that walks a fine line between busy and balanced. Let’s see if the palate stays on path.

Taste

There’s a popular term among bourbon drinkers: “oak bomb.” At first sip, New Riff’s Kentucky single malt doesn’t have both feet in that territory, but it certainly has a toe. The wood influence is heavy, backed by a viscous mouth feel that folds in layers of oak, leather, tobacco, and charred fruit. Another sip brings more subtle sweetness and spice. At first, it’s reminiscent of lemon tea. Fruity components include bright orange marmalade and spiced berry compote, the latter rich in clove essence. Cinnamon sugar slides thickly across the tongue and builds at the midpalate. Pepper — present throughout the nose — is present but with less impact here, balanced somewhat by the aforementioned clove and cinnamon. There’s the tiniest hint of rubber and smoke toward the back of the palate, once again mirroring the nose.

Finish

A bold palate continues into a lengthy, thick, and warming finish. It’s an appropriate decrescendo, with citrus, spice, and light campfire smoke all lingering at the very back of the tongue and into the throat. Adding water sweetens both the palate and finish, unlocking vanilla, caramel, and honey candy in a way not so noticeable when sip unadulterated. A few drops certainly temper the oak influence, though I’d recommend starting neat in order to find your personal sweet spot.

New Riff Sour Mash Single Malt Whiskey Rating

92/100

Recap

New Riff Sour Mash Single Malt is a whiskey with a lot to say, but only a limited window to say it all. It’s immediately appealing to fans of bold oak and spice, with enough fruit and subtle sweetness to potentially make ardent bourbon drinkers reconsider malt. However, with so much going on in one pour, it may take a few sessions to get a handle on whether this whiskey really stokes your flames. Keep a water dropper handy, and don’t be afraid to pair with a meal — especially at cask strength, these flavors will certainly hold their own.

Reviewed On: 04-02-2024