December 20th, 2023 – Winter Whiskey

New Riff Winter Whiskey Bottled in Bond

Considering what was going on last year at this time, it seems a little weird talking about Winter Whiskey when it really doesn’t feel like Winter.

When New Riff came on the scene back in 2018, there was much fanfare around the release of their core items. Single Barrel Bourbon, Single Barrel Rye, Bourbon Bottled-In-Bond and Rye Bottled-In-Bond.

We acquired our first cask strength single barrel from New Riff during the pandemic. It was procured through barrel samples and sold out in a matter of weeks.

Our 2nd barrel was selected in February of 2022. When we visited the distillery we walked through the new-agey rickhouse on the river and took note of some barrels kind of sitting off to the side. They were labeled in chicken scratch WW. We didn’t know what that was at the time, and were told… it’s a secret.

Winter Whiskey was released earlier this year. It’s a unique bourbon that is not made from rye or wheat in the small grains, but from 65% corn, 20% malted oats, 7% pale ale malt, 5% steel cut raw oats, and 3% chocolate malt. It is aged in new charred oak barrels for 4-5 years and bottled at 100.0 proof, per the rules of Bottled-In-Bond.

They do some pretty edgy stuff at New Riff, and this is just one of their limited offerings that has taken the bourbon world’s curiosity in alternative grains to another level. It’s why it is one of our most exciting whiskies of the year!

• Name: New Riff Winter Whiskey Bottled in Bond
• Country of Origin/Locale: Newport, KY
• Proof: 100.0
• Glass: Glencairn or Double Old Fashioned Glass
• Temperature: Room or chilled slightly for drinking
• Cocktail Options: Can be used for old fashioned or other bourbon cocktails, but you lose the distinctiveness
• Available: Sort of. We only received 6 bottles. There was two left. One for this calendar, and the other going on a future raffle.
• Price: List Price – $79.99 JJ’s VIP Price – $63.99

Tom’s Tasting Notes: Chocolate is the key across all of the tasting progression. It’s really remarkable how the 3% chocolate malt impacted the overall profile of this whiskey. On the nose you get chocolate, spice and dark cherry notes. The palate carries the chocolate notes through along with thick velvety salted caramel and pepper. The finish on this is incredible. Long and… chocolatey.