NEW BOTTLE HIGHLIGHT SERIES: The Most Unique, Exciting Whisky I’ve Tried in Quite a While – New Riff 6 Year Malted Rye, Sherry Cask-finished

Released once a year as a limited bottling during the Thanksgiving/Christmas season, this is a 100% malted rye first aged in new toasted and charred American White Oak barrels before being finished for an undisclosed length of time in both Pedro Ximénez (PX) & Oloroso Sherry casks. The final whisky is unique, a true standout that resembles a single malt-rye whisky hybrid with a punchy cask-finishing. The 2025 bottling is 111.9 proof (55.95% ABV).

A beautiful dark amber with a distinct dark red hue, the rye is incredibly viscous with slow-forming, slow-running tears forming in the glass. The flavor profile is powerful with aromas and flavors of an array of dark red fruits front-and center including dark cherries, black raspberries, black currants, and blackberries, dried fruits including dates and raisins, rye and baking spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, and a hint of cloves), toasted oak, light notes of fruity caramel and vanilla, sweet tobacco, and a combination kick of anise, black pepper, and oak tannins with the dark, sweet flavors on the finish.

With an immensely creamy mouthfeel and a very long finish, this New Riff is special and has changed my view of the brand. Though I don’t dislike their core line, they have just not been my preferred flavor profile for bourbons or ryes – but this one has underlined why one should never totally write off a brand doing things right with their production. I purchased my first bottle of this rye on a flyer and am so glad that I did. I have since purchased a number of reserve bottles and picked up one for a colleague and will give a second bottle to a graduate student at cost if they end up liking it at an upcoming group spirits tasting.