New Riff Liquor Barn Single Barrel Bourbon 750ML

New Riff Liquor Barn Single Barrel Bourbon 750ML is a barrel-proof, non-chill-filtered Kentucky bourbon selected from a single cask at New Riff Distilling, bottled at approximately 54.3% ABV (108.6 proof). New Riff's Single Barrel Bourbon program earned Gold at the 2022 San Francisco World Spirits Competition, and this private selection showcases the distillery's distinctively high-rye character at full cask strength.

Quick Facts: ABV: Barrel Proof (~54.3% / 108.6 proof, varies by barrel)  |  Origin: Kentucky, USA  |  Minimum 4 Years Old  |  Distillery: New Riff Distilling

Production & Heritage

New Riff Distilling was founded in 2014 in Newport, Kentucky, by Ken Lewis with the stated mission of making bourbon with transparency and without shortcuts. The distillery uses a full sour mash regimen and a mashbill of 65% corn, 30% rye, and 5% malted barley — all non-GMO grains — which places this expression firmly in the high-rye bourbon category. Each barrel is aged a minimum of four years in 53-gallon new American oak barrels that are both toasted and charred before filling, and every bottle is released at barrel proof without chill filtration, preserving the full texture and flavor the wood imparts.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Butterscotch and fresh oak lead, followed by layers of vanilla, stewed prune, and assertive rye spice. A second pass reveals darker notes of aged wood and a subtle herbal mintiness.

Taste: The entry is broad and fulsome, with a sweet vanilla accent that quickly gives way to a gathering storm of rye-driven spice — clove, cinnamon, and a flicker of dark berry. At mid-palate, flavors of German chocolate cake, cherry, and nutmeg emerge, balanced by toasted oak and a muscular proof that carries flavor without excessive heat.

Finish: Long and rye-led, with brambly red and black fruit notes lingering alongside white pepper and warm clove. The absence of chill filtration gives the finish an oily, mouth-coating texture that stays with you well after each sip.

How to Drink New Riff Single Barrel

At barrel proof, this bourbon rewards a few drops of water or a single large ice cube to open up the sweeter vanilla and fruit layers without drowning the rye spice. It is equally commanding served neat for those who enjoy full-strength whiskey. Three cocktails where this expression excels: an Old Fashioned, where the high rye and butterscotch core stand up to bitters and sugar without getting lost; a Boulevardier, where the dark fruit and spice complement sweet vermouth and Campari beautifully; and a Kentucky Mule, where the cinnamon and clove spice play off ginger beer for a more complex take on the classic.

Best For

• Gifting a bourbon enthusiast who values barrel-proof, single-barrel selections
• Side-by-side tastings comparing high-rye bourbons at cask strength
• Adding a distinctive bottle to a home whiskey collection
• Hosting a whiskey night with friends who appreciate bold, unfiltered spirits

Frequently Asked Questions

What does New Riff Single Barrel taste like? It leads with butterscotch and vanilla sweetness that transitions into prominent rye spice — clove, cinnamon, and dark berry — with a long, peppery finish accented by brambly fruit and toasted oak.

How does New Riff Single Barrel compare to Four Roses OBSK Single Barrel? Both share a high-rye DNA that produces assertive spice and dark fruit character, and tasters have noted strong similarities in flavor profile. The key difference is that New Riff bottles at barrel proof without chill filtration as standard, while Four Roses OBSK private selections are also barrel proof but use a proprietary yeast strain (V) that lends a distinct herbal quality.

Is New Riff Single Barrel good for sipping neat? Yes — the full sour mash process and extended oak aging produce enough complexity and balance to reward careful neat exploration, though a few drops of water can help tame the barrel-proof heat and reveal additional sweetness.

Where is New Riff Single Barrel made? New Riff Distilling is located in Newport, Kentucky, just across the Ohio River from Cincinnati, in the heart of bourbon country. All production — mashing, fermentation, distillation, aging, and bottling — takes place on site.

What foods pair well with New Riff Single Barrel? Dark chocolate truffles complement the butterscotch and cherry notes; smoked brisket matches the oak and pepper spice; sharp aged cheddar balances the sweetness; pecan pie echoes the toasted nut and caramel flavors; and charcuterie with fig jam bridges the dark fruit character on the finish.

What sizes does New Riff Single Barrel come in? This private barrel selection is available in the standard 750ml bottle size.

Is New Riff Single Barrel worth the price? New Riff Single Barrel positions in the mid-premium tier for barrel-proof bourbon, and the combination of a transparent age statement (minimum four years), non-chill-filtered bottling, and single-barrel variability delivers strong value relative to comparably proofed single-barrel selections from larger Kentucky distilleries.

Why New Riff Single Barrel?

New Riff's commitment to full transparency — stated mashbill, minimum age, barrel proof, and no chill filtration — is rare among Kentucky distilleries at this price tier. The 30% rye mashbill is significantly higher than the industry average of 10–15%, producing a spice-forward bourbon that earned Gold at the 2022 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. Each barrel is individually selected, meaning no two bottles are identical, and the toasted-and-charred barrel treatment adds layers of caramel and baking spice you won't find in standard charred-only programs. For drinkers who want to know exactly what is in their glass and how it got there, this is one of the most honest barrel-proof bourbons coming out of Kentucky today.