The mash bill for the New Riff Rye Whiskey is 95% Rye and 5% Malted Barley. If that mash sounds familiar to you… it should. Being the main rye whiskey mash bill from MGP, and the source of millions of gallons of NDP whiskey, it’s easily the most famous mash bill in rye whiskey. While some have called using this mash “unimaginative” I think it’s a fascinating experiment.
Using the same mash in two different distilleries in two different states (~30 miles away from each other) shows just how important location, yeats and production methods are in making whiskey because they’re quite different whiskeys. For one, that MGP pickle juice is absent. For another, the New Riff all around is sweeter and deeper. Yet another reason why hidden mash bills are dumb; whiskey is more than its grain bill.
If you want an MGP comparison while we’re going through this rye whiskey review, check out my Bulleit Rye Whiskey review.
New Riff Rye Whiskey Review: Details and Tasting Notes
Our distillers learned the black arts of the hardest whiskey in the world to make—the famed 95% Rye—under the direct tutelage of the distiller who mastered it in Indiana, Larry Ebersold of Seagram’s. Taking Master Larry’s instruction in hand, we put a riff on it to the tune of adding 5% malted rye, a unique twist that aids in pulling additional flavors out of the rye and adds a touch of the elegance of malted rye. New Riff Rye is splendid with a splash of water, and of course folds magnificently into classic Rye Manhattan and Old Fashioned cocktails.
Details (price, mash bill, cask type, ABV, etc.)
Region: Kentucky, USA
Distiller: New Riff
Mash Bill: 95% Rye, 5% Malted Barley
Cask: New Charred Oak
Age: NAS (4+ years)
ABV: 50%
Non-Chill Filtered | Natural Color
Price: $50
Tasting Notes
EYE
Ruddy copper
NOSE
Oak, marzipan, rye, baking spice, char, dried fruit, caramel and bits of cornbread and honey.
PALATE
Oak, toffee, marzipan, rye, baking spice, raspberry licorice, leather, char and some pepper and roasted nuts.
FINISH
Long -> Oak, caramel, dried fruit and spice.
BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
Well balanced, full body with a warm rich feel.
New Riff Rye Whiskey Review: Overall and Score
What kind of sorcery is going on with this distillery? Aroma is sweet, rustic and bold without being overpowering, it’s just lovely; Palate is heavily laden with sweet notes, grainy/rustic notes and oaky/dark notes, I don’t want to stop sipping on it; Finish is an elegant drawl that starts with a warm oakiness and drifts into sweet and then spicy notes.
This is so well matured (thanks 52 gallon barrels) I have a hard time calling this a “craft whiskey”. It can go toe to toe with most of the big guys and come out even if not on top. Keep your eyes, and other senses, trained on this distillery. The New Riff Bourbon is great and this New Riff Rye Whiskey is tremendous… damn.
SCORE: 90/100 (A-)
New Riff Rye Whiskey Review 50
- Nose - 90
- Palate - 90
- Finish - 90
- Balance, Body & Feel - 90
New Riff Rye Whiskey Review Summary
New Riff Rye Whiskey is a massive full-flavored rye that dominates the senses in a magnificently balanced way.
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