New Riff 8 Year Rye 750ML

New Riff 8 Year Rye 750ML is a Kentucky straight rye whiskey bottled at 50% ABV (100 proof) in a 750ml bottle, aged eight years without chill filtration. What sets this release apart from nearly every other 95/5 rye on the market is its mashbill: 95% rye and 5% malted rye — not the standard 5% malted barley used in the well-known MGP recipe. That single grain substitution, combined with eight years in charred new American oak, produces a rye whiskey with unusual depth and maturity for its age.

Quick Facts: ABV: 50% (100 Proof)  |  Origin: Newport, Kentucky, USA  |  8 Year Age Statement  |  Distillery: New Riff Distilling

Production & Heritage

New Riff Distilling was founded in Newport, Kentucky, by Ken Lewis — a veteran spirits retailer who built the distillery from the ground up to produce whiskey entirely on-site, from grain to glass. The 8 Year Rye is distilled on a 36-inch diameter copper column still, entered the barrel at 110 proof, and matured for a full eight years in charred new American oak. The decision to use 5% malted rye in place of the conventional malted barley softens and balances the aggressive rye grain backbone without diluting its spice-forward identity, while the absence of chill filtration preserves the full weight and texture of the distillate.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with polished oak and cherry cola, layered with brown sugar, citrus zest, and nutmeg. Deeper inhalation reveals cedar, mint candy, and a crème brûlée sweetness that signals maturity well beyond its eight years.

Taste: The entry is rich and full-bodied, leading with cracked black pepper, clove, and spearmint. The mid-palate shifts toward caramelized brown sugar, dark chocolate, and rye bread crust, with undertones of dried orange peel and green tea adding complexity. Root beer and butterscotch notes emerge as the whiskey opens up, framed by persistent allspice warmth.

Finish: The finish is long and drying, with oak tannins, wintergreen, and lemon balm lingering well after the sip. A final wave of baking spice and dark chocolate slowly fades, leaving a clean rye grain echo.

How to Drink New Riff 8 Year Rye

Neat or with a few drops of water is the most rewarding approach — the non-chill-filtered bottling responds well to a small dilution that opens up the chocolate and herbal layers. At 100 proof, it also stands up remarkably well in spirit-forward cocktails. A Sazerac benefits from the deep spice and cedar oak character. A Manhattan gains dimension from the brown sugar sweetness and dark chocolate undertones. A Vieux Carré allows the green tea and herbal complexity to play against vermouth and Bénédictine.

Best For

• Rye whiskey collectors seeking a Kentucky-distilled alternative to MGP-sourced 95/5 expressions
• Gifting a whiskey enthusiast who values distillery-specific production and transparency
• Side-by-side tastings comparing malted rye versus malted barley mashbill differences
• Building a premium home bar with age-stated, non-chill-filtered American whiskey

Frequently Asked Questions

What does New Riff 8 Year Rye taste like? It delivers a bold, spice-driven profile anchored by cracked black pepper, dark chocolate, and caramelized brown sugar, with secondary notes of spearmint, dried orange peel, and green tea. The eight years of oak aging add cedar, root beer, and a long wintergreen finish.

How does New Riff 8 Year Rye compare to Russell's Reserve Rye? Russell's Reserve Rye uses a lower-rye mashbill (51% rye, 37% corn, 12% barley), which produces a softer, more grain-sweet profile compared to New Riff's 95% rye intensity. New Riff's 8 Year expression is notably spicier and more oak-forward, with fuller body from its non-chill-filtered bottling at 100 proof.

Is New Riff 8 Year Rye good for sipping neat? Absolutely — the combination of 100 proof, eight years of aging, and non-chill filtration makes it an ideal neat pour with enough complexity and texture to reward slow, deliberate sipping.

Where is New Riff 8 Year Rye made? It is distilled, aged, and bottled at New Riff Distilling in Newport, Kentucky, located just across the Ohio River from Cincinnati. All production occurs on-site using the distillery's own copper column still.

What foods pair well with New Riff 8 Year Rye? Dark chocolate truffles complement the cocoa and brown sugar notes. Smoked brisket or pulled pork plays well against the pepper and oak. Aged cheddar or Gruyère mirrors the caramelized sweetness. Pecan pie echoes the butterscotch and spice. Charcuterie with fennel-laced salumi highlights the herbal and mint character.

What sizes does New Riff 8 Year Rye come in? The standard release is available in 750ml bottles.

Is New Riff 8 Year Rye worth the price? It positions as a premium age-stated rye whiskey, and its combination of an eight-year age statement, proprietary mashbill, non-chill filtration, and 100 proof bottling delivers strong value relative to other aged ryes in its tier that often carry higher price tags with less transparency about production.

Why New Riff 8 Year Rye?

The defining differentiator here is the 5% malted rye substitution for the malted barley found in virtually every other 95/5 rye whiskey produced in the United States. That seemingly small change, amplified by eight years in oak and bottled without chill filtration at barrel entry of 110 proof, produces a whiskey that reads as distinctly New Riff — not a variation on sourced stock. Multiple independent reviewers have noted that this expression drinks older than its age statement suggests, with "Me, My Wife & Whisky" calling it "highly recommended" and a bottle worth buying a backup of. For drinkers who want a rye whiskey with real provenance, a traceable grain-to-glass process, and the kind of mature oak influence that only time can deliver, the 8 Year Rye makes a compelling case for New Riff's place among Kentucky's top rye producers.