There's something I genuinely respect about any producer willing to stamp "Bottled in Bond" on their label. It's not a marketing gimmick — it's a commitment. Under the Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897, that phrase means this rye was produced in a single distilling season, by one distiller, at one distillery, aged a minimum of four years in a federally bonded warehouse, and bottled at exactly 100 proof. That 50% ABV on the label isn't a choice — it's a legal requirement. And with New Riff Bottled In Bond Kentucky Straight Rye, every one of those boxes is ticked.
Now, I should be upfront: the label says NAS, but the Bottled-in-Bond designation tells us this has spent at least four years in barrel. That's not nothing. Four years of Kentucky climate — those brutal summers and freezing winters — working on the wood gives a rye whiskey genuine character. You're not getting some young, harsh grain spirit here. You're getting something that has earned its place on the shelf.
Kentucky Straight Rye has to meet strict legal criteria too. A mashbill of at least 51% rye grain, distilled to no more than 160 proof, entered into new charred oak barrels at no more than 125 proof, and aged a minimum of two years in Kentucky. The "straight" designation and the Bottled-in-Bond requirements together mean this whiskey has real accountability baked into every drop. As a bartender, I always found that reassuring — you know exactly what standards have been met before you even crack the seal.
At £66.95, this sits in a competitive space. You're paying a fair price for a 100-proof rye with genuine Kentucky provenance and a legal guarantee of at least four years of age. For a full-strength rye with that level of transparency, I think it represents solid value.
Tasting Notes
I'll be honest — I want to let you discover the specifics of this one yourself. What I will say is that at 100 proof, expect a rye with real presence. Kentucky straight ryes at this strength typically deliver bold spice from the rye grain, complemented by whatever the new charred oak has contributed over those years of maturation. The proof means you're getting the whiskey as the distiller intended, without being diluted down to something timid.
The Verdict
I'm giving New Riff Bottled In Bond Kentucky Straight Rye a 7.9 out of 10. This is a well-credentialed rye that does exactly what it promises. The Bottled-in-Bond stamp means transparency, the 100 proof means conviction, and the Kentucky Straight Rye designation means legal rigour in the mashbill and maturation. It's the kind of whiskey where you know what you're getting before you pour, and what you're getting is genuinely worth your time and money. For rye lovers who appreciate knowing the rules behind the spirit, this one delivers.
Best Served
This is a Manhattan whiskey through and through. That 100-proof backbone means it won't disappear behind sweet vermouth — it'll push right through it. Two ounces of this rye, one ounce of good sweet vermouth, two dashes of Angostura, stirred over ice and strained into a coupe with a Luxardo cherry. The proof carries the cocktail beautifully. If you prefer it neat, give it five minutes in the glass — a few drops of water will open it up without knocking the stuffing out of it at this strength.
