New Riff Headliner 2026: Oldest, Boldest Blend Yet

Newport, KY — July 17, 2026 — New Riff Distilling has unveiled its third annual Headliner release, a bold, all-decade-plus blend that marks two firsts for the independent Kentucky distillery: it’s the first Headliner where every component is aged at least 10 years, and it’s New Riff’s first-ever 50/50 bourbon and rye blend.

The Blend

This year’s Headliner combines:

50% 11-year-old Malted Rye bourbon
25% 11-year-old Rye
25% 10-year-old Balboa Rye

Bottled without chill filtration at 118.8 proof (59.4% ABV), the release brings together some of New Riff’s most distinctive whiskeys from over a decade of production.

Why It Matters

Master Distiller Brian Sprance says Headliner gives the team a rare chance to step outside daily production and treat blending as a creative exercise — revisiting old favorites and testing combinations they wouldn’t normally explore.

“We always look forward to creating Headliner each year because it gives us a chance to step outside our everyday work and approach blending as a true creative exercise,” said Sprance. “It’s an opportunity to revisit some of our favorite whiskies from throughout the years and experiment with combinations we might not otherwise explore. We started with a lot of possibilities but kept coming back to three standout components. Maybe it’s no coincidence that some of our favorite punk bands only needed three members. This trio just worked, creating something exciting, distinctive, and driven by our way of doing things.”

Tasting Notes

Nose: Rich oak layered with dark fruits and pine, followed by New Riff’s signature clove, black pepper, and warm baking spice.

Palate: Rich and balanced, opening with fig, raisin, and honeyed currant before deep oak and dark spice build across the midpalate.

Finish: Long and resinous, yet dry — with lingering oak tannins, pine, black pepper, and a final echo of dark fruit.

Supporting the Community

Every bottle sold supports three regional nonprofits: Brighton Center, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Cincinnati, and Tri-State Trails.

“Headliner represents what happens when we give our team the freedom to push boundaries while staying true to who we are,” said New Riff President Mollie Lewis. “That same philosophy extends beyond our walls. We’re proud that every bottle of Headliner supports organizations that are helping build stronger, more connected communities throughout our region.”

Price, Release Date & Availability

Price: $150 per bottle
Release Date: Friday, July 24, 2026, at 11 a.m. ET
Where to Buy: New Riff Whiskey Club (free membership required)
Limit: 1 bottle per person
Pickup only — bottles cannot be shipped

About New Riff Distilling

Fiercely independent and unabashedly innovative, New Riff Distilling has been creating new riffs on old traditions since 2014, using time-honored sour mash methods and bottled-in-bond standards. Located in Newport, Kentucky — the gateway to bourbon country — the independently owned distillery produces award-winning bourbon, rye, single malt whiskey, and gin, including its flagship Bottled-in-Bond Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, named World’s Best Bourbon at the 2026 World Whiskies Awards.

New Riff sources water from an alluvial aquifer beneath the distillery via a 100-foot private well. The distillery’s public spaces, renovated in 2023, include the Riff Shop and The Aquifer Tasting Room, offering cocktails, flights, and pours from New Riff’s full portfolio, including rare and distillery-exclusive releases.

Learn more at newriffdistilling.com.

Reported by Bourbon Lens News, your source for the latest bourbon releases, distillery news, and whiskey culture.

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