Intro: This is a special release from back in 2024 of New Riff's 100% malted rye, originally released in 2022, I was very happy to see this come back out in 2024 and then again in (late 2025?) early 2026. I hope they keep this cadence moving forward!
This is New Riff's 6yr, cask strength malted rye that is then finished in Px and Oloroso sherry casks for ~12 - 15 months (as I recall). It is bottled without chill filtration.
Distilled & Bottled by New Riff
Region: Kentucky, USA
Type: Rye
ABV: 55.75%
Age: 6yrs
Color: dark, rich copper
Nose: rich and extremely sweet, this whiskey is loaded with cooked fruit, blackberry jam and brown sugar, you still get hints of the rye which pop up as grassy and spicy notes.
Palate: good weight here and much more spice forward with pepper and a hint of anise, the fruit and sweetness of the nose take a back seat on the palate.
Finish: decent in length, and still spice forward for me (more pepper and anise), but there's also a lot of barrel char on the finish, cherry cordial and a hit of cinnamon.
Score: 8/10, yes
Conclusion: This is excellent with a 10/10 nose and palate/finish that don't quite live up to it, but still an overall excellent whiskey that I'll be buying the 2026 release of. I was initially concerned about the sherry finish, but New Riff has done an excellent job here and the two different sherry casks pair so well with the natural spiciness of the rye. This is a really unique experience and one any rye lover should indulge.
all images are mine