New Riff Sour Mash Single Malt 750ML

New Riff Sour Mash Single Malt 750ML is a barrel-proof American single malt whiskey bottled at 56.9% ABV (113.8 proof) in a 750ml format from Newport, Kentucky. Drinkhacker called the 2025 release "easily among the most compelling American single malts I've tasted in the last year," placing it firmly in the vanguard of a rapidly evolving domestic category.

Quick Facts: ABV: 56.9% (113.8 Proof)  |  Origin: Newport, Kentucky, USA  |  Barrel Proof, Non-Chill Filtered  |  Distillery: New Riff Distilling

Production & Heritage

New Riff Distilling was founded in Newport, Kentucky, directly across the Ohio River from Cincinnati, with a focus on full-flavored, uncompromising whiskey. This Single Malt expression draws from up to six different barley mashbills — including Golden Promise, Maris Otter, Scottish peated malt, a Belgian Quadrupel ale-style malt, and a Barleywine-style malt — each distilled separately through a copper column still followed by a copper continuous doubler. Open-top fermentation uses a traditional Kentucky sour mash regimen with distillers yeast, and the final blend is re-barreled into used oak for an extended maturation period before being bottled at barrel proof with no chill filtration. That re-barreling step, introduced for the first time with this Single Malt release, adds further integration and complexity that distinguishes it from New Riff's bourbon and rye offerings.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens dense and layered — cooked dark fruits and molasses give way to cinnamon, allspice, fresh peach, and raspberry. Deeper in the glass, malted grain, cacao nib, and a thread of espresso emerge.

Taste: The entry is bold and immediate, with toasted chestnuts and malted milk balls arriving alongside juicy raisins and boysenberry. At mid-palate, a lively burst of orange zest and citrus peel cuts through the richness, while chewy texture carries bright fruit and lemon curd. A mild tobacco quality develops toward the peak, grounding the sweetness with earthy depth.

Finish: The finish lands clean and surprisingly light for its proof, with lingering smoke, minerality, clover honey, golden raisins, and cooked cereal grains trailing off. Chocolate notes and a gentle kiss of peat smoke close things out with measured warmth.

How to Drink New Riff Single Malt

At nearly 114 proof, a few drops of water open this whiskey considerably — try it neat first, then add water incrementally to find your preferred intensity. The barrel-proof bottling also holds its character well over a single large ice cube.

Penicillin: The underlying peat smoke and honey notes map perfectly onto this Scotch-inspired cocktail, with the higher proof standing up to lemon and ginger. Rob Roy: Substitute this for blended Scotch and the dark fruit and malt richness bring new dimension to the sweet vermouth pairing. Gold Rush: Lemon and honey amplify the citrus peel and clover honey already present in the whiskey, while the proof keeps the cocktail structured.

Best For

• Scotch drinkers exploring the American single malt category
• Gifting to a whiskey enthusiast who values cask-strength, non-chill-filtered bottlings
• Side-by-side tastings comparing American and Scottish single malt styles
• Adding a standout bottle to a home bar's barrel-proof shelf

Frequently Asked Questions

What does New Riff Single Malt taste like? It leads with bold espresso, dark fruit, and toasted chestnut flavors, followed by orange zest, malted milk, and boysenberry, finishing with lingering peat smoke, honey, and chocolate.

How does New Riff Single Malt compare to Bruichladdich Classic Laddie? Both expressions vat multiple cask types and barley varieties to build complexity, but the New Riff is bottled at a significantly higher proof and incorporates peated malt and American oak maturation, yielding a bolder, more intensely layered profile. Dramface noted the New Riff shares Classic Laddie's multi-cask vatting style "but to much greater effect."

Is New Riff Single Malt good for sipping neat? Yes — its non-chill-filtered, barrel-proof character rewards neat sipping, though a few drops of water help unlock the full range of aromas and flavors at 56.9% ABV.

Where is New Riff Single Malt made? It is distilled and bottled at New Riff Distilling in Newport, Kentucky, situated in the Northern Kentucky region just south of Cincinnati, Ohio.

What foods pair well with New Riff Single Malt? Dark chocolate truffles complement the cacao and espresso notes; smoked brisket echoes the peat smoke; aged Gouda mirrors the malty sweetness; pecan pie aligns with the toasted nut and honey character; and dried fruit and charcuterie boards highlight the raisin and dark fruit layers.

What sizes does New Riff Single Malt come in? The standard release is available in 750ml bottles.

Is New Riff Single Malt worth the price? Positioned as a premium American single malt, it competes in the $60–$80 tier where barrel-proof, non-chill-filtered bottlings from established distilleries are uncommon, and VinePair's expert panel has recommended it as a standout value in that range.

Why New Riff Single Malt?

The use of up to six distinct barley mashbills — spanning traditional British floor-malted varieties, Belgian ale-style malts, and Scottish peated malt — is virtually unmatched in American single malt production. That blending complexity, combined with a first-of-its-kind re-barreling into used oak for extended integration, produces a whiskey that bridges Scotch tradition and American ambition without imitating either. Bottled at full barrel proof with no chill filtration, nothing is lost between cask and glass. In a category still defining itself, this release from New Riff makes a persuasive case for Kentucky as serious single malt territory.