New Riff Distilling Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey Balboa Rye

Founded in 2014 by Ken Lewis, a Kentucky liquor retailer and entrepreneur, New Riff crafts a range of whiskies with a focus on Bourbon and Rye as well as Kentucky Wild Gin.Independently and family-owned, the freedom from outside pressures and interests has allowed New Riff to set meaningful standards of quality, distinguishing them amongst the ranks of Kentucky Sour Mash Whiskey distilleries. Although some of their practices are not necessarily new to the world of whiskey, it is unusual to find a distillery adhering simultaneously to so many traditional methods and with such an attention to detail. Sourcing non-GMO grains, using mineral-rich water from an aquifer below the distillery, allowing slow and open fermentation, distilling in copper only, and leaning heavily upon the strict stipulations of Bottled-in-Bond production, New Riff cuts no corners. Therefore, it’s no surprise that the accolades for this small distillery continue to grow.

Balboa Rye is a rare heirloom grain, dating to the 1940s and often used for whiskey in those days. It's grown exclusively for distillation at New Riff by the Fogg Family Farm in Indiana. Bestowing a unique flavor from a bygone age, it offers exquisite notes of red and blue fruit along with piquant spice. 

Nose: Clean, ripe oak, controlled & even. With time, develops waxy/honeyed (yet not sweet) fruits. Water yields colorful (black-blue-red skinned) rye fruits and spice.

Taste: Rounded and full-bodied, a citrusy, floral and minty mid-palate of spiced fruit compote--think apricot, raisin, kumquat--and a peppery bitterness.

Finish: Sumptuous and long, as the fruits are subtly shaded with many spices (clove, wintergreen, nutmeg).

Bottled in bond without chill filtration. 95% Heirloom Balboa Rye and 5% Malted. Aged at least 4 years. Distilled, aged and bottled in Newport, Kentucky.

50% ABV (100 Proof).