New Riff Distillery: Distillery Spotlight

Just a hop from downtown Cincinnati, New Riff Distilling is a stand-out, premier whiskey distillery in Kentucky. Founded in 2014, New Riff has been crafting high-quality spirits, boldly claiming, “A New Riff on an Old Tradition.” And they aren’t wrong! They have a unique dedication to innovation within the rich heritage of Kentucky whiskey-making.

A “New Riff” on Whiskey Making

New Riff Distillery prides itself on its unique approach to whiskey production. They waited to release their own distilled whiskey until it qualified as a Bottled in Bond product, ensuring their product adhered to the highest quality standards set by the 1897 Bottled in Bond Act. 

The Bottled in BondAct

This act states that the whiskey must be:

1. Produced in a single session
2. Produced by one distiller
3. Produced at one distillery
4. Aged for a minimum of four years
5. Aged in a federally bonded warehouse
6. Bottled at 100 proof.

New Riff takes this standard further by not chill-filtering their spirits, preserving their natural flavors and textures.

New Riff’s Community and Environmental Commitment

New Riff’s commitment to quality goes beyond their products,though. They place a high value on community involvement and environmental responsibility. This includes using non-GMO grains in their mash bill and prioritizing sustainability in their operations. As an independently owned, family-operated business, New Riff definitely has the spirit of American entrepreneurship.

What the Distillery Produces:

Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey

New Riff Distilling’s Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is a high-rye, full-bodied whiskey with a mash bill of 65% corn, 30% rye, and 5% malted barley. 

This bourbon is bottled in Bond without chill filtration and aged for four years in new oak barrels.

It has a deep amber color, a nose of butterscotch, fresh oak, vanilla, and rye spice. The taste offers a broad mouthfeel with vanilla and rye spices like clove, cinnamon, and mint, leading to a long, rye-led finish with red-black fruits, white pepper, and clove.

Critics have given New Riff Kentucky Straight Bourbon positive reviews, noting its unique characteristics and good value. Breaking Bourbon highlights New Riff’s Straight Bourbon for its sweeter flavors and good consistency, while Drinkhacker praises the bourbon for its rich, syrupy quality and states that it is a promising craft bourbon.

Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey

New Riff Distilling’s Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey is a full-bodied spirit, made with a unique mashbill of 95% rye and 5% malted rye. 

This whiskey is Bottled in Bond without chill filtration and aged for at least four years in new oak barrels. 

It also has a deep amber color, with a nose of mint, black pepper, vanilla, orange, and oak. The taste is a complex blend of cinnamon spice, vanilla, toffee, rye spice, caramel, and toasted oak. The finish is long with rye spice, vanilla buttercream, brown sugar, and a mineral-grassy rye tone.

Reviews for the Rye are positive. From Breaking Bourbon, critics say that the whiskey is well-rounded and fair-valued, offering a solid entrance to the market for a newer distillery. Drinkhacker praises the whiskey for its bright and complex nose, and appreciates the balance and elegance of this young rye, considering it another success from New Riff.

And More Spirits

New Riff also produces a standard gin, a bourbon barrel-aged gin, and a few other specialty spirits. Be sure to check out their shop for all your options.

The Distillery Experience at New Riff

The distillery features a striking design with massive floor-to-ceiling windows surrounding a 60-foot-tall copper still. Tours guide visitors through the entire process from grain to barrel, including fermentation, distillation, bottling, and barreling. 

The experience concludes with a tasting flight, allowing guests to enjoy the rich flavors of their products. The guides, known for their engaging and entertaining style, enhance the experience with stories and insights into the distillery’s history and processes.

Distillery tours are a very reasonable $20. Furthermore, visitors receive a $10 off token for the gift shop after their tour. The token does not apply to specialty bottles, however. Tours are about 45-60 minutes. According to New Riff, visitors should “inquire with Retail or Tour Ambassadors for more details.”

New Riff also offers a guided tasting event called “The Hits” that can be booked online here.

Tour Blocks:

Tuesday & Sunday: 12 PM, 2 PM.

Wednesday-Saturday: 12 PM, 2 PM, 4 PM

Monday: Closed

Visitor Information

New Riff Distillery is open for tours and tastings from Wednesday to Saturday (11:00am – 7:00pm ET) and Sunday (11:00am – 5:00pm ET). 

Located at 24 Distillery Way, Newport, KY, it’s easily accessible for those visiting the Cincinnati area. The distillery also features a gift shop where visitors can purchase exclusive merchandise and their favorite New Riff spirits.

Where to Find Their Spirits:

To find New Riff Distillery’s spirits, you have several options. While New Riff offers online ordering, it’s only for pickup at their location. For those who can’t visit the distillery, there are other ways to purchase their products.

You’ll find New Riff’s spirits at various retail locations, some of which offer shipping options. You can check their official website to find a retailer near you or one that ships to your location.

Additionally, New Riff’s spirits are available on Caskers, an online liquor store. They offer a range of New Riff products including their Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. Caskers provides detailed information about the products, including tasting notes, and they ship to several states.

Visit New Riff Distillery Today!

New Riff Distillery has quickly made a name for itself in the world of whiskey. With a commitment to quality, innovation, and community, it stands as a testament to the ever-evolving landscape of Kentucky bourbon. Whether you’re already a whiskey enthusiast or you’re just a curious visitor, New Riff has something for everyone.

So, what are you waiting for? Plan a tour, a tasting, or a trip to the gift shop today! Remember, you can also find their spirits at select online and in-person retailers.