New Riff Winter Whiskey looks to create a new holiday tradition.
The Kentucky Distillery responsible for New Riff bourbon is ready to start a new holiday tradition with its release of New Riff Winter Whiskey. This new spirit may remind some folks of a chocolate oatmeal stout due to the fact its unique mash bill actually includes chocolate malt. More specifically, the mash bill is 65% corn, 20% malted barley, 7% pale ale malt, 5% steel cut roll oats, and 3% chocolate malt.
New Riff’s Master Distiller Brian Sprance says, “when we considered putting oats in a bourbon, our minds went to the chocolate oatmeal stouts we enjoyed in our brewing careers.” Before getting behind the New Riff project, Sprance was a brewer for Sam Adams in Cincinnati. New Riff just happens to be on the other side of the river in Newport, Kentucky. The founder of New Riff, Ken Lewis, suggested he hired Brian Sprance due to the school of thought that, “it is fermentatio where a spirit’s flavors are created.” Sprance was then trained on the distilling side by Larry Ebersold, who consulted the company.
The company is proud of this marriage between the two different worlds stating, “is a perfect example of how Sprance can marry brewing and distilling together.” Sprance himself suggests, “our Winter Whiskey will warm your palate with the cheer and flavors of the season. It’s unlike anything we’ve ever made or tasted.”
New Riff Winter Whiskey is a bottled in bond product which means it is aged at least four years. The product is also rated at 100 proof and bottled without chill filtration. The tasting notes suggest, “tastes like a conversation between the dry cocoa quality of the chocolate malt, a balanced amount of oak and a unique spicy quality distinct from that of rye. The finish dances away on the oaty spice, with hints of Belgian cocoa.” It will be priced around $50 for a 750ml bottle, and should be available across New Riff’s current distribution footprint.
Grab a bottle of this new bottle release with one of our Whiskey Barrel Tumblers and enjoy your holiday season.
