New Riff is one of those distilleries that turned up and immediately started doing things the right way. Based in Newport, Kentucky, they've built a reputation on transparency and quality — no sourced whiskey, no shortcuts, everything distilled and aged on site. Their Single Barrel Proof Rye is a proper statement of intent, bottled without chill filtration at full barrel strength. At 52.7% ABV, this isn't messing about.
What draws me to this bottle is the philosophy behind it. Single barrel, barrel proof, no age statement but New Riff has been consistent about letting their whiskey mature until it's ready rather than slapping a number on it. For a rye at this proof point, that matters. You're getting the whiskey exactly as it came out of the barrel — nothing added, nothing taken away. That's the kind of honesty I want to see more of in American whiskey.
Kentucky straight rye has specific legal requirements that are worth understanding here. The mashbill must contain at least 51% rye grain, it must be aged in new charred oak barrels, and it needs a minimum of two years in wood to earn that 'straight' designation. Barrel entry proof is capped at 125 proof by law, and the fact that New Riff bottles at barrel strength means every sip reflects the actual interaction between spirit and wood — no water added post-maturation to dilute the character down.
Tasting Notes
I'll be upfront — I'm not going to fabricate specific tasting notes here. What I can tell you is that a barrel-proof Kentucky straight rye at this strength will deliver bold, grain-forward character with the kind of spice and intensity that rye is famous for. The single barrel element means each bottle has its own personality, which is part of the appeal. You're buying something unique, not a blended-to-consistency product.
The Verdict
At around £81, this sits in a competitive space, but I think it earns its price. You're paying for barrel-proof, single barrel, non-chill-filtered rye from a distillery that actually makes its own whiskey — and in a market flooded with sourced and repackaged spirits, that counts for something. The 52.7% ABV gives it serious weight without crossing into punishing territory. It's assertive but not aggressive. I'd give this a 7.6 out of 10 — a confident, well-made rye that delivers exactly what it promises on the label. No gimmicks, no marketing fluff, just good whiskey done properly.
Best Served
A rye this bold is practically built for a Manhattan. Use two parts of this with one part sweet vermouth and a couple dashes of Angostura, stirred over ice and strained into a coupe. The barrel-proof strength means it won't get lost behind the vermouth — the rye spice will cut right through. If cocktails aren't your thing, a few drops of water will open it up nicely for sipping neat. I'd avoid drowning it in a highball though — at this price point and proof, it deserves more attention than that.
