New Riff Bottled in Bond Rye

A little background

New Riff began releasing bottles of this Bottled in Bond and Non-Chill Filtered Rye Whiskey in the fall of 2018 and it has begun to show up on more store shelves over the last couple of months.  With its unique mash bill of 95% Rye and 5% Malted Rye, it has potential of being an interesting pour for this Rye Whiskey lover.  Retail price of around $50.

(Tasted neat from a Glencairn.)

Color in the glass:

Medium Gold

Nose

Cracked black pepper, orange soda, candied fruit, and allspice.

Palate

Stone fruits, vanilla, and caramel dominate.  Rye spice is faint with cinnamon and a touch of allspice. Sweeter than anticipated given the mash bill.

Finish

There is the rye spice I was expecting from the palate and that showed up on the nose.  The cracked black pepper returns accompanied by clove and allspice.

In closing

Well, I was right to assume this would be an interesting pour.  The familiar rye spice is apparent on the nose alongside an orange soda note that I really appreciate.  The palate pulls a 180 degree turn towards sweet bourbon notes and then it comes full circle with the rye spice picking back up on the finish.  I’m loving the options that are starting to pop up in the Kentucky Rye market and the New Riff Rye is a great one.