I finally got my hands on the bottle with this new riff single malt review , and truthfully, I've been wondering about what these guys would do with 100% malted barley for an actually long time. If you've followed the rum scene over the last few yrs, you know New Riff has basically turn out to be the poster kid for "doing items the right way" in Kentucky. They didn't source their juice; they constructed a distillery, patiently lay for their personal stuff to age group, and stuck to the Bottled-in-Bond work like it had been religion. But the single malt? That's a bit of a curveball for a distillery that will made its title on spicy high-rye bourbons.
Exactly what Exactly Is This particular Stuff?
Prior to we dive directly into the glass, let's talk about exactly what New Riff is definitely actually putting out here. This isn't just a Scotch clone made in Kentucky. It's the very specific, quite intentional "Kentucky style" American Single Malt.
First off, it's Bottled-in-Bond . That means it's a minimum of four many years old, a product associated with a single distilling season, and bottled at exactly a hundred proof. For the single malt, that's actually pretty punchy. Most entry-level Scotches sit at 40% or 43% ABV (80 or 86 proof), so right off the bat, you're getting more "oomph" with this one.
The mash costs is where issues get interesting. New Riff didn't simply use one kind of barley. They will used a mix of five various malted barleys, which includes some specialty stuff like Crystal malt and Chocolate malt. When you're a build beer fan, these terms probably problem. They're usually utilized in stouts and porters to add level and roasted tastes, which definitely converts into the final rum here.
The First Pour: Look and Nose
When you pour this into the Glencairn, the first thing you notice is the color. It's obtained a deep amber hue that looks a bit older than its four-year age group statement suggests. That's the Kentucky warmth for you—those barrels are working overtime in the humidity.
When I first put the nose to the cup, I didn't obtain the "sea sodium and peat" vibes you might expect from an Islay Scotch. Instead, it's a lot more focused on orchard fruits and baking spices . There's a distinct odor of baked crimson apples—the kind that will have been seated in a skillet with cinnamon and brown sugar.
After this sits for a minute, the "New Riff" personality starts to peek by means of. There's a particular earthy, grain-forward fragrance that reminds a person this can be a craft item. It's not excessively polished or moderate; it's bold. A person can also recognize those specialty malts—there's a hint of cocoa powder and perhaps some toasted loaf of bread lingering in the particular background.
Does the "Sour Mash" Really make a difference?
New Riff uses the traditional Kentucky bad mash process for this single malt, which is fairly rare in the particular world of malt whiskey. Usually, single malts are "sweet mash, " signifying they start fresh with every batch. Simply by using a bit of the previous fermentation (the backset) in the new batch, New Riff adds a layer of persistence and a specific type of funk. In order to me, it gives the particular nose a slightly tangy, citrus-peel advantage that keeps it from being too sweet.
Sampling Notes: How This Actually Drinks
Now for that component you actually care about in a new riff single malt review : the flavor.
The first sip is surprisingly oily. They have a great mouthfeel—not thin or watery in any way. The a hundred proof gives it a good little "Kentucky hug" on the particular way down, but it's not severe.
The Palate: * Initial strike: You obtain a burst of dark fruit—think plums or even dried cranberries. * The Middle: This is how the malt stands out. It tastes like honey-nut cereal or even toasted granola. It's sweet, but within a grainy, healthy way. * The Twist: About halfway through, all those chocolate malts display up. It's not like eating a Hershey bar; it's more like the particular bitterness of dark chocolate or black coffee. It amounts out the fruity sweetness perfectly.
One thing We noticed is that the spice profile differs through their bourbon. While their bourbon will be heavy on the black pepper and clove from the rye, this single malt much more regarding ginger and nutmeg . It feels warmer and a bit more "holiday-ish. "
The Finish: Will It Linger?
The finish will be where lots of younger whiskeys break apart, yet this one retains its own. It's medium-to-long and remains pretty dry. Since the fruit ends away, you're left with a lurking taste of charred oak and a little bit of that cocoa resentment I mentioned previously.
I'll be honest: there exists a slight "green" or "youthful" note right at the very finish. It's that grainy, grassy taste a person get with whiskeys that haven't spent a decade within the wood. It's not a dealbreaker, and some people actually choose that "distillery character, " but it's worth noting when you're used in order to 18-year-old Macallan. This particular is a different beast entirely.
How Does It Evaluate to American Single Malts?
The American Single Malt (ASM) category is exploding right right now. You've got huge players like Westland in Seattle plus Stranahan's in Colorado. So, where does New Riff suit in?
I'd say this is much "heavier" compared to something similar to Westland. Westland often feels quite elegant and concentrated on the grain's subtle nuances. New Riff, on the other hand, comes across as being like a bridge among Scotch and Bourbon . Because it's aged in new charred oak barrels (just like bourbon) instead of used barrels (like most Scotch), it absorbs a lot more vanilla and caramel from the particular wood.
When you're a bourbon drinker who wants to try out single malt yet finds Scotch the bit too "thin" or "medicinal, " this really is probably the particular perfect entry point intended for you. It provides the and the oak influence associated with a bourbon however the complex grain profile of a malt.
Is It Worth the cost?
You're usually looking at about $70 for a container of the. In the world of build whiskey, that's fairly much the standard "sweet spot. " Is usually it a grab? Maybe not. Is definitely it fair? Completely.
You have to remember that making 100% malted barley rum in Kentucky will be expensive and dangerous. The climate will be aggressive, as well as the substances cost more than corn. When a person buy this, you're paying for the reality that it's Bottled-in-Bond and non-chill filtered. They didn't take any shortcuts here.
Personally, I think it's a "buy" if you're searching for something special to add in order to your shelf. It's not going to replace your daily sipper when you're a die-hard rye fan, but it's an excellent switch of pace intended for a Friday evening.
Who Is usually This For?
- The Bourbon Nerd: If you've finished every bottle of New Riff Rye and wish to see exactly what else they can do.
- The Adventurous Scotch Drinker: If you need to see what happens when a person apply Kentucky custom to malted barley.
- The particular Collector: It's a relatively new addition to their particular core lineup and looks great upon a bar cart.
Who Ought to Skip It?
- The Peat-Heads: In case you're looking for smoke, iodine, or campfire vibes, a person won't find all of them here. This really is just about all about the grain and the wooden.
- The Budget Hunter: If you're strictly searching for the best bang-for-your-buck under $40, this isn't it.
Conclusions
Wrapping up this new riff single malt review , I have to say I'm impressed. It's easy for a distillery to get pigeonholed into one design, but New Riff has proven they can handle a complicated mash costs and still come out with something that tastes like it belongs in Kentucky.
It's striking, it's a little bit gritty, plus it's packed along with flavor. It doesn't play the role of a Highland malt, and it doesn't try to be the bourbon in cover. It's just the own thing—a hot and spicy, chocolatey, fruity malt that hits hard and stays exciting until the last drop.
If you see it on the shelf, I'd say give it a shot. At the really least, it's a great conversation starter for your next tasting night time. It'll be actually interesting to observe how this stuff tastes with another four or 5 years in the particular barrel, however for now, the four-year-old Bottled-in-Bond version is really a solid win.