New Riff has been turning heads in Kentucky for good reason. While they don't have the century-long legacy of some bourbon houses, what they do have is a commitment to doing things properly — non-chill filtered, bottled at a robust 100 proof, and with a transparency about their process that I genuinely respect. The Winter Whiskey expression is their seasonal release, a Kentucky Straight Bourbon that leans into the colder months with what I'd describe as a richer, more contemplative drinking experience.
At 50% ABV, this sits right at that sweet spot where you're getting serious flavour delivery without the alcohol bulldozing your palate. For anyone who's been drinking bourbon at the standard 40%, stepping up to bottled-in-bond strength is like switching from standard definition to HD — everything just comes into sharper focus. That's not marketing speak; it's simple chemistry. Higher proof means more flavour compounds survive the journey from barrel to glass.
What to Expect
This is a NAS (no age statement) bourbon, which in New Riff's case shouldn't put you off. They've built their reputation on letting the whiskey dictate when it's ready rather than slapping an arbitrary number on the label. As a Kentucky Straight Bourbon, it carries a legal minimum of two years in new charred oak, but the depth of colour and the weight of this liquid suggest it's spent considerably longer than that getting acquainted with the wood.
Being a winter seasonal release, expect this to sit on the warmer, darker end of the bourbon spectrum. Think baking spices, oak influence, and that characteristic Kentucky richness that comes from their high corn mashbill. The 100 proof bottling strength means those flavours arrive with real conviction. This isn't a whiskey that whispers — it speaks clearly and with purpose.
The Verdict
At £86.50, you're paying a premium over standard shelf bourbons, but I think it's justified. You're getting a seasonal, limited release at full proof with no chill filtration — three things that each add genuine value to what's in your glass. New Riff isn't cutting corners, and you can taste that commitment. I'd score this a 7.9 out of 10. It's a confident, well-made bourbon that does exactly what a winter release should do: give you a reason to slow down and pay attention. It's not trying to reinvent the wheel, and I appreciate that. Sometimes the best thing a distillery can do is nail the fundamentals, and New Riff has done that here with real style.
Best Served
Pour this neat in a Glencairn or a rocks glass and let it open up for five minutes. The 100 proof can handle a single ice cube without falling apart, so if you prefer a touch of dilution, go for it. Where this bourbon really shines, though, is in a proper Old Fashioned — the higher proof stands up beautifully to a sugar cube and a few dashes of Angostura, and that winter spice character plays brilliantly against the bitters. Use a good orange peel, expressed over the glass. Trust me on that one.
