New Riff 6 Year Malted Rye 750ML

New Riff 6 Year Malted Rye 750ML is a Kentucky Straight Malted Rye Whiskey made from 100% malted rye grain, bottled in bond at 50% ABV (100 proof). What sets this expression apart is its mashbill — 100% malted rye remains exceptionally rare in American whiskey, even among today's ambitious craft producers. The malting process transforms rye's typically aggressive spice into something polished, nuanced, and layered with unexpected sweetness.

Quick Facts: ABV: 50% (100 Proof)  |  Origin: Newport, Kentucky, USA  |  6 Year Age Statement  |  Distillery: New Riff Distilling

Production & Heritage

New Riff Distilling was founded in 2014 by Ken Lewis in Newport, Kentucky, just across the river from Cincinnati. From its inception, the distillery committed to bottling in bond and forgoing chill filtration across its entire lineup — philosophies that signal transparency and confidence in the distillate. The 6 Year Malted Rye uses a 100% malted rye mashbill, meaning every grain undergoes the malting process before fermentation. Malting rye involves germinating the grain and then kilning it to halt the process, which converts starches to sugars and fundamentally alters the flavor profile. Where standard rye whiskey leans into sharp, peppery heat, malted rye softens those edges and introduces a bready, almost confectionary sweetness alongside refined spice. Six years of aging in new charred oak barrels at bonded proof gives this whiskey structure and depth that shorter-aged malted ryes simply cannot match.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with oatmeal raisin cookies and powdered sugar sweetness, giving way to peppermint candy cane and a floral, fruity layer of plum skin and ripe pear. Oak and vanilla sit in the background, well-integrated rather than dominant, with a savory undercurrent that keeps things grounded.

Taste: The entry is thick and sweet, immediately coating the palate with saltwater taffy and baked fruit. Mid-palate, cinnamon spice and wintergreen emerge alongside clove, building heat without overwhelming the malt-driven sweetness. A distinctive toasty-malty note runs through the entire experience — the signature of that 100% malted rye mashbill doing its work. The mouthfeel is notably rich for a rye whiskey, with an almost chewy texture.

Finish: The finish narrows to focused spice — clove and pink peppercorn lead, elegant and refined rather than biting. It lingers at medium-to-long length, fading with a final echo of baked pastry and warm spice.

How to Drink Malted Rye

Neat is the ideal starting point. At 100 proof, the whiskey has enough structure to stand on its own, and a few drops of water can open up the floral and baked-fruit notes further. On the rocks, the sweetness becomes more prominent as spice recedes slightly. For cocktails, the 100% malted rye mashbill brings a unique dimension: a Sazerac benefits from the refined spice and powdered-sugar sweetness, creating a more layered version of the classic. A Vieux Carré works well because the malty richness holds its own against sweet vermouth and Bénédictine. An Old Fashioned highlights the baked fruit and cinnamon character without needing excessive sweetener, since the malted grain already carries inherent sweetness.

Best For

• Rye whiskey enthusiasts looking to explore what malting does to familiar grain
• Gifting to a whiskey collector who values rare mashbills and production methods
• Side-by-side tastings comparing malted versus unmalted rye expressions
• After-dinner sipping when you want spice and sweetness without high heat

Frequently Asked Questions

What does New Riff Malted Rye taste like? It leads with baked fruit, cinnamon spice, and saltwater taffy sweetness, supported by a distinctive toasty-malty character and focused clove spice on the finish. The overall impression is sweeter and more refined than a typical rye whiskey.

How does New Riff Malted Rye compare to Journeyman Farm Rye? Both use uncommon rye-forward mashbills, but New Riff's 100% malted rye and six years of aging at bonded proof deliver greater depth and a distinctly malty sweetness that Journeyman's expression does not share. New Riff's commitment to non-chill filtration also preserves more texture and flavor complexity in the final product.

Is New Riff Malted Rye good for sipping neat? Yes — at 100 proof it has ideal concentration for neat drinking, with enough body and complexity to reward slow sipping. The absence of chill filtration means nothing has been stripped from the whiskey's natural flavor and texture.

Where is New Riff Malted Rye made? It is produced at New Riff Distilling in Newport, Kentucky, situated along the Ohio River directly across from Cincinnati. Newport sits within the historic bourbon-producing region of northern Kentucky.

What foods pair well with New Riff Malted Rye? Aged cheddar or Gruyère complement the malty sweetness with savory contrast. Charcuterie with cured meats like soppressata plays well against the clove and cinnamon spice. Dark chocolate with at least 70% cacao mirrors the baked-fruit notes. Apple strudel or cinnamon pastries echo the whiskey's bakery-like aromatics. Smoked duck bridges the gap between the rye spice and the malt sweetness.

What sizes does New Riff Malted Rye come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle at 100 proof, bottled in bond.

Is New Riff Malted Rye worth the price? It positions as a premium craft rye whiskey, and the combination of a rare 100% malted rye mashbill, six-year age statement, bottled-in-bond designation, and non-chill-filtered production represents genuine substance behind the price point. Few American rye whiskeys at any price use this mashbill with this level of maturity.

Why Malted Rye?

The 100% malted rye mashbill is the defining feature here, and it is not a gimmick — malting fundamentally changes what rye grain can express in a whiskey. The process tempers rye's raw, peppery bite into something more polished and complex, introducing layers of baked sweetness and toasted grain that standard rye mashbills simply do not produce. Paired with a full six years of aging and the accountability of the bottled-in-bond standard, this is one of the most distinctive and well-executed rye whiskeys coming out of Kentucky's newer generation of distilleries. For drinkers who think they know what rye tastes like, this bottle is a compelling argument that the grain still has secrets to reveal.