New Riff 7 Single Malt

Review by: Raygun

I’m sure New Riff needs no introduction for most people. They’ve been around for a little over ten years, developing a reputation for quality bourbon and rye. Their single malt is unusual, comprised of six different types of malt, including some Scottish peated malt. It’s distilled on a column still, and aged in multiple casks types (which they don’t specify). Reviewed from a sample. Rested about 10 minutes.

Distillery: New Riff  

Brand: New Riff   

Region/style: Kentucky single malt whiskey

ABV: 56.9%. Cask strength. 

Age: 7 years 

Cask type: Unknown

Color: 1.3 russet. Natural color and non-chill-filtered.

Nose: Not overwhelmed with oak, which I appreciate. Some spice to it, but mostly smells of root beer. Sassafras especially. Also molasses.     

Palate: Tastes quite a bit like root beer, too. Even a root beer float. Vanilla, sassafras, and some spice flavor that’s hard to nail down. Cardamom is close. There’s the molasses. Quite rich. Something almost smoky to it as well. Could there be some peated malt in this? (Yes, there is.) 

Finish: Still a little smoky. Not like peat exactly, but more charred wood. Sweet and pretty thick. Lots of vanilla and still more root beer. Spicy and a bit nutty. Pistachios in particular.    

Conclusion: No idea about the casks involved, but if I had to guess, I think it combines new and used oak. The malt still comes through, which I appreciate. It doesn’t taste like bourbon the way many American single malts do. Ends up a little sweet for my taste. Definitely not the kind of thing I’d have more than one glass of.  

Score: 78

Scoring Legend:

  • 95-100: As good as it gets. Jaw-dropping, eye-widening, unforgettable whisky. (Convalmore 36)
  • 90-94: Sublime, a personal favorite in its category. (Bruichladdich Black Art 4.1)
  • 85-89: Excellent, a standout dram. (Ledaig 13 Amontillado)
  • 80-84: Quite good. Quality stuff. (Tomatin 18)
  • 75-79: Decent whisky worth tasting. (Glen Scotia 15)
  • 70-74: Meh. It’s definitely drinkable, but it can do better. (Aultmore 12)
  • 60-69: Not so good. I might not turn down a glass if I needed a drink. (Glenmorangie 10)
  • 50-59: Save it for mixing. (Old Pulteney 12)
  • 0-49: Blech. (Muirhead’s Silver Seal 16)

Published by Raygun

Unknown's avatar

I drank Scotch occasionally (mostly at family gatherings) for years, but started getting more interested after an introduction and tasting from a Scottish acquaintance. That led to buying my first bottle (Highland Park 12). Now 600+ spirits later, Scotch is still my first love, but I drink other whisky and dabble in brandy as well.

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