New Riff 7 Year Sour Mash Single Malt (Fall 2023 Release)

I have to say it: this is the first New Riff I've had that isn't coming off for me. I seem to be in the minority here, or am I? I do wonder sometimes if the goodwill a decent distillery generates will find people willing to give them the benefit of the doubt when they release something that doesn't quite meet expectations, especially if they're swinging for the fences. And I should also frame this by saying that I still haven't had a bad New Riff. Everything I've read about this makes it sound ambitious and had me excited for it, but it's just not that enlivening. This is the kind of whisky where, when I taste it, and I see good reviews, I feel like I have to look them up to see what are other people getting that I'm not? Though it's a lower proof than a lot of other barrel/cask strength whiskies I drink, it's hot all around, the nose has an ethanol burn to it that prevents the whisky from offering any aromas other than oak and sweetness, but the sweetness is indistinct. It could be vanilla, could be cherry, I'm having trouble parsing that out against the heat. As I sit with it more, there might even be a bit of cocoa powder coming through, but none of them are strong enough to make me feel like I could sit here all day nosing it like I do with some whiskies. It's only about 114 proof, but I can't keep my nose near the glass long enough not to wince back after a few seconds, and the glass has been sitting for a while now. (To compare, earlier tonight, I had a glass of Larceny BP A124 and that's 124 proof and I had no such trouble enjoying the aroma of the bourbon). The palate has an herbal tea quality, the bergamot often found in certain ryes, with an underlying sweetness. Oak again with tobacco and maybe a hint of darker fruits, plum or blackberries. The palate is definitely stronger in terms of presentation than the nose, and though you can still feel the heat, the influence of the ethanol has been toned down considerably, though by the time it hits the back of your throat, the heat reasserts itself in a spicy finish. It's the kind of thing that they might refine for future releases, but I don't think they quite hit what they were going for here, and if I were going to buy it again, I'd wait for a future iteration rather than seeking out another bottle of the Fall 2023 bottling. Not quite enough to turn me away from New Riff, but it was pretty expensive for a bottle I didn't much enjoy. I kept hoping that with time and air, it might improve, but it's remained consistently slightly above average throughout the experience and certainly doesn't hold up in a lineup of better whiskies (I served this on Father's day right after Highland Park Cask Strength Batch 4, and let's just say, that while my dad drank it, he didn't look at me after his first sip and say, "Oh, that's really good" as he'll often do with most of the whiskies I serve him). Oh well.

Nose is powerful and complex with cola, pepper, smoke, root beer, stewed peaches, hay, lemon rind, old books, chocolate and wet dirt. A wild yet delightful combination. That said, some nagging ethanol kept sneaking in and hampering the otherwise exceptional experience. Palate continues the boldness bringing sherry wine, tangerine, date, oatmeal, black currant, caramel, chocolate, and a floral note I can’t put my finger on (lavender? jasmine? I suck at identifying floral notes) Flavors are punchy as hell. Finish is decently long with iodine, malted milk ball, burnt rubber, charred oak, chili pepper, cinnamon, and peat moss. There’s depth here but the peat note takes over and adds a bit of a harsh element. Mouthfeel is on the lighter side of medium but decently oily which is a nice fit for the profile. Ok…there’s a lot going on here and a lot to like. But I must admit I was unaware that this contained peated malt and I am a huge peat hater. That said, its presence here is…less than awful? A bold and unique whiskey even if some elements aren’t my jam. At $70 I can say that it’s a great value for the quality in todays market. This distillery is a big win for me overall, and I will continue to buy as many expressions/releases as I can get my hands on.

Disclaimer: I am wheated bourbon guy and this is one of my first single malts so not my wheelhouse. Nose: The nose is approachable at the proof point. However, I could really only pick out oak. Would have liked more of the other notes to come through. Pallet: Drinks below its 114 proof. Smoke, Oak, Leather, Tobacco notes.*** Finish: I get KC15 vibes. It’s smooth by slightly dry, but this is nothing crazy. ***Added a few drops of water and got some sweetness like apricot and dried friut but mostly a smokey oaky flavor through and through. Update (one month later): Let the bottle sit and tried it again. Bottle has opened up very nicely. Flavor is a little more complex and slightly different than before. I still get those malt flavor but some more fruit flavor comes through with a hint of saltyness at the end. Drinks a little hotter than previously but still feels well below the 114. Overall, still not in my wheelhouse but unique and cool bottle to have.

I had the pleasure of sampling this and having it in a revolver cocktail at the Aquifer on the third floor of the New Riff Distillery. It was indeed complex and finished with a pleasant an slight smoky heat. In the revolver as a spirit forward cocktail the sour mash blends magnificently and was quite enjoyable. In talking to the bartenders this sour mash single malt was mentioned as a top favorite by each. Great bottle to have on the shelf!

Nose is carmel and flower petal, with a black tea backbone. Gun cleaning oil also comes out on the 2nd or 3rd revisit. Taste is immediate roasted green pepper, disappearing as quickly. Finishes with wood, roasted tomatoes, and more dark tea. Another complex tasting from New Riff.

Trying a pour at the distillery bar, really good stuff. Definitely an American malt with heavy oak influence and hints of fruits from the wine finishes. Also black pepper and rye spices, likely from the oak and wine barrels.