Uncorking perfection: Why New Riff Single Barrel is Taking the Bourbon World by Storm

For decades, the standard blueprint for legendary Kentucky bourbon remained untouched, locked inside centuries-old distilleries along the Kentucky River. Enter New Riff Distilling—a modern powerhouse that took the traditional bourbon rulebook and gave it a fresh, uncompromising twist.

Among their lineup, the New Riff Single Barrel Bourbon stands out as a high-proof, unfiltered masterpiece that has taken whiskey collectors and casual sippers alike by storm. But what makes this bottle so coveted, and how does it stack up in today's crowded whiskey landscape? Let’s dive in.

Founded in 2014 by Ken Lewis in Newport, Kentucky, New Riff Distilling was built on a bold premise: craft a high-rye Kentucky Straight Bourbon that honors time-tested traditions without being bound by legacy corporate shortcuts.

Located right along the Ohio River—just across from Cincinnati—New Riff spent its first four years aging its distillate, refusing to source whiskey from other producers. Instead, they waited patiently until their own stock reached full maturity. In 2018, they made their formal debut, immediately capturing the attention of spirit critics nationwide.

New Riff isn’t just another craft distillery; they follow strict production standards that put many traditional giants to shame:

- High-Rye Mash Bill: New Riff features a proprietary recipe of 65% corn, 30% malted rye, and 5% malted barley. The 30% rye content delivers a bold, spicy complexity that sets it apart from sweeter, corn-heavy bourbons.
- Bottled at Barrel Proof: Every single-barrel release is uncut and unfiltered, typically hovering between 105 and 115+ proof. What comes out of the oak barrel goes directly into the bottle.
- Non-Chill Filtered: By skipping chill filtration, New Riff preserves the natural fatty acids, oils, and deep mouthfeel, giving every pour a rich, velvety texture.
- Pure Aquifer Water: New Riff sits directly above a natural limestone aquifer 100 feet below the distillery, providing pristine, cold, iron-free water essential for fermentation and mashing.

In a market dominated by heritage brands like Buffalo Trace, Wild Turkey, and Woodford Reserve, New Riff Single Barrel regularly punches above its weight class.

Whiskey reviewers consistently rank New Riff alongside top-tier craft producers like Peerless and Willett. It is widely regarded as one of the best value-for-quality barrel proof bourbons on the market today. Offering immense depth, rich notes of butterscotch, dark chocolate, rye spice, and toasted oak, it easily competes with bottles twice its price.

- Nose: Rich vanilla bean, candied orange peel, toasted oak, and a warm wave of baking spices.
- Palate: Dark caramel, dynamic rye spice, cracked black pepper, and buttered popcorn.
- Finish: Long, warming, and chewy, leaving lingering notes of dark cocoa and clove.

Because New Riff Single Barrel is released in individual barrel yield runs, finding a bottle on store shelves can sometimes feel like hunting for hidden treasure.

If you are looking to enjoy a dram without hunting down a full bottle, local whiskey hotspots occasionally secure these sought-after barrels. Next time you're out in town, drop into Frost Doylestown (46 E State St, Doylestown, PA). Tucked away in heart of Bucks County, their bar program routinely features rare and allocated pours—making it one of the few local spots where you might catch this standout high-rye bourbon resting on the shelf.

What is the mash bill of New Riff Single Barrel Bourbon?
New Riff Single Barrel Bourbon features a high-rye mash bill consisting of 65% corn, 30% malted rye, and 5% malted barley. This high proportion of rye gives the bourbon its signature spicy, complex flavor profile.

Is New Riff Single Barrel Bourbon hard to find?
While New Riff distributes widely across the U.S., their Single Barrel expressions are produced in limited quantities per barrel batch, making specific single-barrel store picks and releases relatively rare and sought-after by collectors.

What proof is New Riff Single Barrel Bourbon?
New Riff Single Barrel Bourbon is bottled at full barrel proof, without water dilution or chill filtration. As a result, proofs vary by individual barrel, typically ranging between 105 and 115.5+ proof (52.5% to 57.75% ABV).

Where is New Riff Bourbon distilled?
New Riff Bourbon is distilled in Newport, Kentucky, directly along the Ohio River basin. The distillery utilizes a 100-foot-deep limestone aquifer located directly beneath the facility for its water supply.