Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey named one of “Top 20 Whiskies of 2019”

View from inside the tower at New Riff Distilling. FTM file. 

New Riff Distilling was selected as one of Whisky Advocate’s coveted “Top 20 Whiskies of 2019.” The annual list celebrates the most exciting whiskies of 2019, selected by Whisky Advocate’s reviewers from among hundreds of bottles tasted throughout the year.

“We take great pride in every spirit we distill at New Riff, knowing that every step of the process is done with utmost integrity,” said Ken Lewis, Founder, New Riff Distilling. “To be recognized for our Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey byWhisky Advocate is an honor that reminds us that due diligence pays off.”

Each year, Whisky Advocate Buying Guide reviewers collectively sample hundreds of whiskies. These include rare and extremely limited releases, as well as new and emerging labels — including New Riff, one of the newest on the list — that will find their way to shelves across the nation. To determine the Top 20, Whisky Advocate begins by looking only at whiskies rated “outstanding” (90 points or higher on Whisky Advocate’s 100-point scale.)

Reviewer, Susannah Skiver Barton upholds New Riff Distilling for their boldness. “New Riff’s first whiskey releases were all bottled in bond from the start — a bold decision for a brand new distillery,” she says. “This rye proves it was the right decision.”

The Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey — the only Straight Rye on the list — was chosen for its complexity, showing maturity while retaining liveliness and verve. Bottled in bond without chill filtration, the 100% Rye is bottled at 100 proof without the addition of any flavoring or blending material.


See the full list here: http://whiskyadvocate.com/top20/2019/ and the mention of New Riff here: http://whiskyadvocate.com/top20/2019/17-new-riff-bottled-in-bond-rye/

Abiding by the bottled in bond regulations signed into law in 1897 under the Bottled-in-Bond Act — already the highest quality standard for aged spirits in the world — every batch of New Riff Rye is aged for minimum four years in full-size 53-gallon toasted and charred new oak barrels.

Featuring a unique mashbill of 95% rye and 5% malted rye, New Riff’s distillers put a riff on the traditional 95% Rye which contributes to a more complex flavor profile that pulls additional flavors out of the rye.