New Riff’s High Note Whiskeys highlight unique mashbills created by the Northern Kentucky distillery. In their latest Fall releases, New Riff highlighted an 8 year old Wheated Bourbon and an 8 year old Malted Rye Whiskey. I couldn’t wait to dive in and taste these!
Just the Facts: New Riff 8 Year Bohemian Wheat
- Style: Kentucky Straight Wheated Bourbon
- Mashbill: 65% corn, 18% Bohemian floor malted wheat, 10% unmalted wheat and 7% dark wheat
- Proof: 117.9
- Age: 8 year
- Price: $69.99
Tasting Notes: New Riff 8 Year Bohemian Wheat
Nose: Slight ethanol on the nose, brown sugar, dark bitter chocolate, cherry, and plum jam.
Palate: Cherry, plum, dark chocolate, hints of pepper, clove and allspice. Very jam-like on the palate.
Finish: Long, dry finish; reminds me of a bold cabernet
Just the Facts: New Riff 8 Year Kentucky Straight Rye
- Style: Straight Rye Whiskey
- Mashbill: 100% Rye
- Proof: 118.2
- Age: 8 year
- Price: $69.99
Tasting Notes: New Riff 8 Year Kentucky Straight Rye
Nose: Lemon zest, vanilla, caramel, cinnamon sugar, clove, nutmeg. I really enjoyed the nose of this rye whiskey.
Palate: Caramel, vanilla, monkey bread like. Hints of cinnamon and clove with a creamy mouthfeel. This might be one of my favorite New Riff whiskeys when I tasted this whiskey.
Finish: Sweet, lingering finish of citrus and toffee.
Closing Thoughts
I really like that New Riff continues to focus on grain innovation. While barrel finishing has been all the rage, New Riff has continued to explore the nuance of grains and the flavors they produce. These two High Note New Riff whiskeys are worth finding and trying.
Recent Bourbon Lens Coverage
Listen to Bourbon Lens on your favorite podcast app or stream on Spotify. If you’d like to support Bourbon Lens, subscribe to our Patreon, sign up for our “Weekly Pour” Newsletter, and don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and X.
If you like cocktails, subscribe to our second podcast, Cocktails with Friends. Cocktails with Friends is hosted by our good friend and partner, Bob Cutler.