New Riff 8 Years Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Overview
New Riff 8 Years Straight Bourbon marks a significant evolution for the distillery, introducing its oldest high-rye bourbon expression at twice the age of the 2018 flagship. Blended from two distilling seasons, it prioritizes broader distribution over bottled-in-bond status while delivering quintessential Kentucky character.

Specs at a glance

Good to know
New Riff Distillery builds on American whiskey traditions with a focus on quality. Co-founder Jay Erisman positions this release as the beginning of genuinely older offerings in their lineup. Its premium MSRP of $68 reflects the extended maturation, though reviewers note the price as a minor offset to its value.

Tasting notes

• Nose: Chocolate-covered toffee, demerara syrup, cocktail cherry, clove-studded orange peel, dried citrus, and damp tobacco form an approachable yet intricate bouquet.
• Palate: Balanced integration of oak-driven depth and rye spice delivers a complex, rewarding profile true to Kentucky bourbon traditions.
• Finish: Lingering sweetness and tobacco notes underscore its mature harmony.

Notable details

• Production: Aged a minimum of 8 years, bottled at 100 proof, non-chill filtered.
• Lineage: New Riff's oldest rye bourbon, elevating the brand's reputation beyond younger expressions.
• Comparison: Surpasses many competitors in balance and depth.
• Availability: Limited early production informs the blending approach; positioned at a premium price point.

"Extended aging elevates New Riff's flagship bourbon into a deeply balanced and rewarding expression that surpasses many competitors." – Drinkhacker

Closing
An expert's choice for those valuing mature rye bourbon nuance without compromise.

Sources

[1] Drinkhacker – "Review: New Riff Kentucky Straight Bourbon 8 Years Old"

[2] Bourbonbanter – "New Riff 8-year bourbon Feature"

[3] Thebourbonculture – "New Riff 8-Year-Old Bourbon Review"

[4] Gobourbon – "NEW RELEASE: New Riff 8 Year Kentucky Straight Bourbon, Their Oldest to Date | The Bourbon Review"

[5] Breakingbourbon – "New Riff 8 Year Kentucky Bourbon Review | Breaking Bourbon"

[6] Bourbonguy – "New Riff Distilling 8 Year Old Bourbon — BOURBON GUY"