New Riff Bottled in Bond Rye 750ML

New Riff Bottled in Bond Rye 750ML is a 100-proof Kentucky straight rye whiskey bottled at 750ml and aged a minimum of four years. What sets this expression apart is its rare 100% rye grain mashbill — 95% rye and 5% malted rye — making it one of the few bottled-in-bond ryes on the market with zero barley in the recipe.

Quick Facts: ABV: 50% (100 Proof)  |  Origin: Newport, Kentucky, USA  |  Minimum 4 Years Old  |  Distillery: New Riff Distilling

Production & Heritage

New Riff Distilling operates out of Newport, Kentucky, just across the river from Cincinnati. The distillery's rye program was developed under the direct tutelage of Larry Ebersold, a former Seagram's distiller who mastered the notoriously difficult 95% rye mashbill at what is now the MGP facility in Indiana. While most producers using that high-rye style rely on 5% malted barley, New Riff substituted 5% malted rye, creating a true 100% rye grain whiskey. Production follows a full sour mash Kentucky Regimen, and the spirit is aged a minimum of four years in full-sized 53-gallon new American oak barrels that are both toasted and charred. In keeping with the Bottled in Bond Act of 1897, it is bottled at exactly 100 proof without chill filtration, preserving the whiskey's full body and natural oils.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Sweet cinnamon bread and peppermint lead the nose, followed by layered herbal notes of tarragon, clove, and pine needles. A floral quality weaves through the aromatics, growing sweeter and fruitier as the whiskey opens up in the glass.

Taste: The entry is bright and clean with an herbaceous, minty quality before dark fruit, caramel, and tart raspberry flood the mid-palate. As it develops, chocolate orange and earthy rye spice emerge, transitioning into deeper flavors of cocoa and angostura bitters on the back end. The 100-proof strength carries the flavors without overwhelming heat.

Finish: Medium in length with lingering notes of pine, bitter chocolate, toasted wood, and persistent rye spice. The non-chill-filtered bottling leaves a full, oily texture that carries those darker flavors well past the last sip.

How to Drink New Riff Rye

Neat or with a few drops of water is the ideal way to experience this whiskey's complexity — the herbal and dark fruit layers unfold significantly as it breathes. At 100 proof, it also holds its character exceptionally well over ice or in cocktails.

• Manhattan: The bold rye spice and chocolate-orange notes stand up beautifully against sweet vermouth, creating a rich, layered classic.
• Sazerac: The herbaceous mint and pine character in this rye harmonizes naturally with absinthe and Peychaud's bitters.
• Vieux Carré: The dark fruit and cocoa backbone adds depth to this multi-spirit New Orleans classic without getting lost alongside cognac.

Best For

• Rye whiskey enthusiasts exploring craft alternatives to MGP-sourced expressions
• Gifting a whiskey lover who appreciates bottled-in-bond authenticity
• Building a home bar with a versatile, cocktail-ready 100-proof rye
• Side-by-side tastings comparing Kentucky rye character against Indiana-style ryes

Frequently Asked Questions

What does New Riff Rye taste like? New Riff Bottled in Bond Rye leads with bright herbal and minty notes before shifting into dark fruit, caramel, chocolate orange, and cocoa. The finish is medium-length with toasted wood, pine, bitter chocolate, and persistent rye spice.

How does New Riff Rye compare to Rittenhouse Rye? Rittenhouse Rye Bottled in Bond is the most common comparison and is typically available at a lower price point, using a lower-rye mashbill with barley. New Riff's 100% rye grain mashbill delivers a more intensely herbaceous and spice-forward profile, and multiple reviewers have noted it outperforms Rittenhouse in direct side-by-side tastings.

Is New Riff Rye good for sipping neat? Absolutely — the 100-proof strength is well-integrated, and the non-chill-filtered bottling gives it a full, oily mouthfeel that rewards slow, neat sipping as the glass opens up over time.

Where is New Riff Rye made? New Riff Rye is distilled, aged, and bottled at New Riff Distilling in Newport, Kentucky, located directly across the Ohio River from Cincinnati. The distillery handles every step of production on-site.

What foods pair well with New Riff Rye? Smoked brisket or pulled pork benefits from the whiskey's spice and dark fruit; aged Gouda or sharp cheddar mirrors its toasted oak notes; dark chocolate truffles complement the cocoa and bitter chocolate on the finish; charcuterie with herbed salami echoes the herbaceous quality; and pecan pie aligns with the caramel sweetness on the mid-palate.

What sizes does New Riff Rye come in? The standard offering is a 750ml bottle, which is the most widely available format.

Is New Riff Rye worth the price? New Riff Bottled in Bond Rye positions as a mid-premium craft rye — priced above everyday bottled-in-bond options like Rittenhouse but justified by its unique 100% rye grain mashbill, minimum four-year age statement, non-chill filtration, and fully estate-produced Kentucky pedigree.

Why New Riff Rye?

The single most compelling detail about this whiskey is the mashbill: by replacing the standard malted barley with malted rye, New Riff created a true 100% rye grain whiskey — a rarity in American whiskey, especially at the bottled-in-bond standard. The distillery's rye program was built from the ground up with direct knowledge transfer from Larry Ebersold, the Seagram's veteran who perfected the 95% rye style that MGP later made famous. That lineage, combined with Kentucky's sour mash production regimen, non-chill filtration, and a minimum four-year rest in toasted and charred new American oak, produces a rye that is both technically distinctive and genuinely flavorful. For drinkers who want the bold, spice-driven character of a high-rye whiskey with a craft distillery's hands-on approach, this bottling earns serious consideration.