New Riff Blue Clarage Bourbon 750ML

New Riff Blue Clarage Bourbon 750ML is a bottled-in-bond Kentucky bourbon made with heirloom Blue Clarage corn, bottled at 50% ABV (100 proof) in a 750ml format. Named to Fred Minnick's Top 100 American Whiskeys in 2023, this single-varietal release showcases how a nearly century-old corn strain can reshape a bourbon's flavor profile—delivering amplified fruit and spice compared to standard yellow dent corn expressions.

Quick Facts: ABV: 50% (100 Proof)  |  Origin: Kentucky, USA  |  Age: 5 Years, Bottled in Bond  |  Distillery: New Riff Distilling

Production & Heritage

New Riff Distilling, based in Newport, Kentucky, has built a reputation on transparency and full-flavored, non-chill-filtered bourbon. The Blue Clarage expression uses a mashbill of 65% Blue Clarage corn, 30% rye, and 5% malted barley. Blue Clarage is an heirloom corn varietal developed in the 1920s by farmer Edward Clarridge in Clinton County, Ohio, and sourced from the Ohio Valley for this release. Aged for five years and meeting all requirements of the Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897—produced in a single distilling season, at a single distillery, aged in a federally bonded warehouse, and bottled at exactly 100 proof—this bourbon carries one of American whiskey's strongest quality guarantees. According to the distillery, the Blue Clarage corn creates a marked difference from their standard recipe, pushing the whiskey toward more fruited, spicy tones.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Buttered popcorn and warm honey greet the nose first, followed by caramel apple and vanilla. Subtle baking spices and a thread of floral, herbal rye character emerge as the whiskey opens up.

Taste: The palate is thick and chewy, entering with honeyed sweetness and a distinctive orange blossom quality. At mid-palate, caramel apple and vanilla expand alongside clove spice and minty rye tones. The texture has real density, with the heirloom corn contributing a fruited richness that distinguishes it from conventional bourbon profiles.

Finish: Long and spice-driven, with clove and a hint of black peppercorn lingering alongside dry, toasty oak. Honey and vanilla return at the tail end, rounding out the experience with warmth rather than heat.

How to Drink Blue Clarage Bourbon

Neat or with a few drops of water is the most rewarding approach—the 100-proof backbone holds up well, and water unlocks additional floral and fruit nuances. That said, the bold spice and honeyed sweetness make it a versatile cocktail base. An Old Fashioned benefits from the clove and caramel apple notes, which add complexity beyond standard bourbon sweetness. A Gold Rush (bourbon, honey syrup, lemon) plays directly into the whiskey's natural honey character. A Boulevardier pairs the fruited weight of the Blue Clarage with Campari's bitterness for a rich, layered drink.

Best For

• Bourbon enthusiasts exploring heirloom grain and terroir-driven whiskey
• Side-by-side tasting with New Riff Yellow Leaming Bourbon to compare corn varietals
• Gifting to a whiskey collector who values limited single-varietal releases
• After-dinner sipping alongside desserts with baked apple or spiced honey flavors

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Blue Clarage Bourbon taste like? It delivers a thick, chewy palate of honeyed sweetness, caramel apple, and vanilla, layered with clove spice and minty rye tones. The finish is long and warming, driven by clove, black pepper, and toasty oak.

How does Blue Clarage Bourbon compare to New Riff Yellow Leaming Bourbon? Both share the same 65/30/5 mashbill ratio and identical aging and proof, differing only in the corn varietal used. Reviewers consistently note that Blue Clarage leans toward richer fruit and spice, while Yellow Leaming tends toward a lighter, sweeter, and more classically grain-forward profile.

Is Blue Clarage Bourbon good for sipping neat? Yes—at 100 proof it has enough structure to stand on its own, and the heirloom corn delivers a complexity that rewards slow, attentive sipping. A few drops of water can further open up the floral and fruited layers.

Where is Blue Clarage Bourbon made? It is distilled and bottled at New Riff Distilling in Newport, Kentucky, just across the Ohio River from Cincinnati. The Blue Clarage corn itself is sourced from the Ohio Valley, where the varietal originated in the 1920s.

What foods pair well with Blue Clarage Bourbon? Smoked pork belly or pulled pork complements the honeyed sweetness and clove spice. Sharp aged cheddar mirrors the bourbon's density and dry oak. Apple tart or apple crisp echoes the caramel apple notes. Dark chocolate with sea salt balances the long, peppery finish. Pecan pie pairs naturally with the vanilla and toasted grain character.

What sizes does Blue Clarage Bourbon come in? The standard release is available in a 750ml bottle.

Is Blue Clarage Bourbon worth the price? It positions as a premium craft bourbon within New Riff's specialty range, priced above their core bottled-in-bond expression but justified by the heirloom grain sourcing, limited availability, and recognition on Fred Minnick's Top 100 American Whiskeys list. For drinkers interested in how corn varietal affects flavor, it represents strong value as a study in terroir-driven bourbon.

Why Blue Clarage Bourbon?

This is one of a small number of commercially available bourbons built around a named heirloom corn varietal, making it genuinely uncommon in a crowded category. The use of Blue Clarage corn—a strain nearly a century old—produces a measurably different flavor profile from standard yellow dent corn, with amplified fruit and spice that multiple critics have recognized: an 8.8 from American Whiskey Magazine and a CT 93 on CellarTracker affirm that the difference is more than academic. Bottled in bond at five years, it carries a federal guarantee of quality and provenance that few craft distilleries can match. For anyone interested in where bourbon is headed—toward grain transparency, single-varietal releases, and terroir—this bottle is a compelling proof of concept.