New Riff 8 Year Kentucky Straight Bourbon

Exciting times for New Riff, and with this 8 year entry, it really does deserve celebrating. Very, very few American whiskey distilleries can produce a 4 year bourbon and pass it off as something nearly twice it's age statement, but New Riff has consistently done this easily, at least from this enjoyer's perspective. All the ingredients are perfect for a simple, no-fuss bourbon, including at least 100 proof in all their products, no chill filtration, high-rye mash bill, all of which embodies the message "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." Having said that, I love the message behind the brand, and I spoke with a representative one time about how the single barrel picks from the staff and others that are distributed are the "new riff" on the classic song that is the batched stuff. Now we have a bourbon (and a rye whiskey that I really want to find) that are now twice the age without that much of a price increase. Making this a permanent product is a move that will truly deliver dividends for the brand, and I can't wait to see if this age tastes itself, or if it follows suit and tastes even older than the statement. The legs are pretty solid here, even though the meniscus appears fairly watery. Despite that, there is quite a deep color here, like the outside of a dusty oak barrel in dim light. The initial nose punches with a grit that's full of spicy rye, but the aggressive nature is only temporary, as other notes of creamy banana, red fruit, and even a touch of bubblegum are also found. Return nosing turns the bubblegum to eggnog, with the fruit and now a citrus flavor remaining, but more creamy than spicy (although the classic rye spice is not missing at all). The first sip is weak and somewhat watery, but a few more sips unlock flavors of meringue or egg cream (not quite eggnog, as the rye spices are different than the spices you'd normally find in that beverage), classic cinnamon and grass from the rye, a pretty heavy amount of vanilla, and creamy, almost toasted oak. The finish is rather thin, with the rye sticking around just a touch, but this is where I finally have a moment to reflect over the corn, and how the raw taste of the grain is missing as compared to the original bourbon. Instead, the new grain flavor is softer, creamier, and an almost thicker sweetness altogether. I think this is a great win for the distillery, especially considering they aren't charging out the ass for this new older version. The 8 year really focuses on the oak and corn sweetness, as opposed to the ~4 year, which lets the powerful rye come through more. Because that soft, almost sugary vanilla sweetness is usually only found in very high age bourbons (usually 15+ years), I'm happy to say that this product follows the brand's pattern, and indeed does taste double it's actual age, despite it being pretty thin as the main downfall. As impressive as this is, the next step is a non-negotiable release of single barrel/barrel picks for 8 year versions of both the bourbon and rye, because the specific and hidden flavors you could find in those "new riffs" are too valuable for the distillery not to release to the public.

Nose is rich and full with caramel flan, custard, bakers chocolate, nutmeg, damp cellar, and mature oak. Ethanol very low. Not the most complex nose, but what is here is nice. Palate matches the nose well and is so well integrated it’s actually challenging to pick out individual flavors, but I’ll try; a powdered sugar note I find in many New Riff expressions, vanilla custard, light caramel, walnut, duck sauce, apple, and…is “candied oak” a thing? If not it is now. Everything has a light and airy vibe to it. Very tasty. Finish brings heavy barrel char, warm mild spice (allspice and clove), black pepper, black cherry, and a hint of mint, but it’s surprisingly and disappointingly short. Mouthfeel is extremely slick and oily but on the lighter side of medium-bodied, which suits the flavor profile well. I’m a huge New Riff fan, and this doesn’t disappoint but yet offers slightly more promise than results; what I wouldn’t give for a 120 proof 10 year old single barrel! Maybe someday lol. In the meantime, this is very solid for the $75 I paid, although I wish it were readily available instead of having to mail order it. If you like lighter but yet still full flavors, this is for you.

70 after tax basically for an 8 year 100 proof bourbon. OK...not great. From a CRAFT bourobn distillery? Oh...that's kinda fair! Nose - It's new riff. Whatever it is they do...they can't escape being new riff! But lets added raisened fruits and leather with dark chocolate notes. Taste - Again...it's new riff! If you know you know, right? But now we add a huge layer of both dark and malted chocolate notes. Hints of butter scotch sneak in. There's a depth and complexity around what is an otherwise kinda normal bourbon for those of us who like new riff. Bottom line...damn good for 70 bucks (after tax). I want to do something silly like 3.0 just because I'm the first review and I know I'm scoring lower than the community but 2.25 is a very fair score by my standards. This is well done really good bourbon. But it's nothing WOW level. They are showing 100% that at 10-12 years they might be putting out BTAC stuff. This is really going to a great place, not just good.

Nose: Caramel, vanilla bean, dark cherry, baking spices, and toasted oak. Some dried fruit and rye-driven herbal notes come through. Palate: Rich toffee and dark caramel upfront, layered with cinnamon, clove, and cracked black pepper from the rye. Balanced sweetness with oak, leather, and a touch of cocoa. Finish: Long and warming — spicy rye and oak linger, with a dark fruit and subtle chocolate note at the tail end.

What I think is both a compliment and a criticism to this bourbon is that it seems comparable to Four Roses Single Barrel, which is one of my favorite bourbons at any price. Deep caramel, woody vanilla, spicy rye. The criticism is that 4R SiB can be found for $45, a full Jackson less than this cost me. It may even be slightly better than the 4R, but not enough better to justify the premium.

Nose is not complex, but pleasant, straight up peanuts and chocolate, maybe a touch of oak and leather. Palate brings more, sweet chocolate, cinnamon, fall spices, and black pepper. I lose the nuttiness from the nose. Finish lingers nicely with the chocolate and the pepper. Ice mellows the pepper, good either way. Solid, good proof point (100), amd decent price ($70).