New Riff Whiskey Club Spring 2023 limited release. Info: - Proof: 100 Proof, 50% ABV - Age: Aged at least 5 years - Mashbill: 65% Heirloom Blue Clarage Corn, 30% Rye, 5% Malted Barley - Bottled in Bond without Chill Filtration The official tasting notes from the distiller are not currently published online anywhere, so I'm including them below for reference. --- Official tasting notes from New Riff Distillery: > Nose: Round, long & good depth, some extra fruit over standard New Riff, off-dry, grainy, rich; repeated sniffs (with a splash of water) include vanilla-cake batter confection tones; subtle spices of clove, clove gum, horehound, faint root beer/sarsaparilla, caramelized citrus; and indeed a whiff of blue corn tortilla. > > Palate: Medium-full, grainy, supple entry; slow development of deeply savory-saline notes and that blue fruit again; long finish is savory, juicy, dry but rich, faint pancake batter (blue corn bread?) > > Comments: Rounded, long, and deep with savory, off-dry notes including vanilla cake batter and a lovely blue-ish (boysenberry?) fruit skin tone; also subtle spices of horehound candy, clove, and sarsaparilla. That fruit develops with a splash of water, and indeed (to this taster() offers a subtle blue corn tortilla theme. The palate is supple and grainy, deeply savory and almost saline at entry, turning to blue corn bread and caramelized citrus.
About this bottle
This bottling is one of two heirloom grain bourbon whiskeys released by New Riff Distilling in spring 2023. This expression was made with Ohio Valley Blue Clarage, an heirloom corn varietal developed in the 1920s by farmer Edward Clarridge in Clinton County, Ohio. The bourbon was made with a mash bill recipe of 65% Blue Clarage corn, 30% rye, and 5% malted barley. It was aged for 5 years and it's also bottled in bond. Available at the distillery's Aquifer Tasting bar, select Kentucky retailers, and New Riff Whiskey Club as of spring 2023. (SRP $55.99)
Reviews
Showing the most detailed of 6 parsed reviews.
Nose is aromatic and complex with what I have found to be typical New Riff fruitiness (berry, apple, and lime) with vanilla creme, soft oak, basil, and a hint of nutmeg. Probably one of the only whiskeies I have sampled with literally ZERO ethanol which is wild. Palate is quite a departure with caramel, Sasparilla, green apple, vanilla bean, corn tortilla, clove, and malted milk ball. Some youth shows in the form of some sharpness in the overall profile. Finish is on the longer side of medium with fried ice cream, rye spice, toasted oat, white pepper, and oak. Mouthfeel is effervescent and slick but with a pronounced drying effect. A solid offering from New Riff. Theres a lot to like here but is a little lacking in the refinement category. At $79, I feel it’s appropriately priced for the market. Since it is not available in my area and I had to pay shipping, probably not a rebuy but most likely would be if it was local.
Sweet high notes of corn, with a lighter engagement of barrel influence. Fresh, clean and everything you'd want in a bourbon. The flavor is quite different from the Yellow Leaming, instead having honeyed sweetness, and surprisingly, orange blossom on the tongue. The finish is medium long, ending on a mildly spice driven note. Almost delicate, but self-assured, this is a fine sipping whiskey.
Gorgeous sipper, really just an excellent creamy fruit forward first taste and a smooth finish with just enough rye heat at the end. Very good bourbon. Shocked to be able to get something this good for under $60 (In Chicago).
Sweetness on the nose, followed by a fruitness on the palate but has a nice rye finish. Unique flavor and great pour to mix it up.
Liked this slightly less than the yellow leaming. But still a fantastic drink
Tastes like this
Same style and price bracket, best rated first.
