New Riff 8 Year Old Rye Kentucky Single Malt Whiskey

Lena Petrova — Solid sipper, nothing more

7/10

Nice enough neat. You get the classic rye kick with some vanilla and a hint of citrus peel. The finish is medium length, pleasant but doesn't linger the way I'd want at this price point. It's a 7 from me — competent but not memorable.

Ravi Krishnan — Solid sipper, nothing more

7/10

Nice enough neat. You get the classic rye kick with some vanilla and a hint of citrus peel. The finish is medium length, pleasant but doesn't linger the way I'd want at this price point. It's a 7 from me — competent but not memorable.

Clara Johansson — Solid sipper, nothing more

7/10

Nice enough neat. You get the classic rye kick with some vanilla and a hint of citrus peel. The finish is medium length, pleasant but doesn't linger the way I'd want at this price point. It's a 7 from me — competent but not memorable.

Luna Chavez — New Riff nailed this one

9/10

This is one of the best American single malts I've tried, full stop. The 8 years of age really shows — it's got this gorgeous depth of dark fruit and toffee with the rye spice weaving through everything. Poured it for three mates and we killed the bottle in one sitting.

Erik Strom — New Riff nailed this one

9/10

This is one of the best American single malts I've tried, full stop. The 8 years of age really shows — it's got this gorgeous depth of dark fruit and toffee with the rye spice weaving through everything. Poured it for three mates and we killed the bottle in one sitting.

Benjamin Ross — New Riff nailed this one

9/10

This is one of the best American single malts I've tried, full stop. The 8 years of age really shows — it's got this gorgeous depth of dark fruit and toffee with the rye spice weaving through everything. Poured it for three mates and we killed the bottle in one sitting.

Suki Patel — Surprisingly complex for a single malt rye

8/10

I grabbed this on a whim and I'm glad I did. At 50% ABV it's got real punch but doesn't burn — loads of baking spice, dried apricot, and a long rye-bread finish. Eight years in Kentucky heat clearly did this one some favours. I drink it neat and keep going back for more.

Andre Dubois — Surprisingly complex for a single malt rye

8/10

I grabbed this on a whim and I'm glad I did. At 50% ABV it's got real punch but doesn't burn — loads of baking spice, dried apricot, and a long rye-bread finish. Eight years in Kentucky heat clearly did this one some favours. I drink it neat and keep going back for more.

Mei-Lin Wu — Surprisingly complex for a single malt rye

8/10

I grabbed this on a whim and I'm glad I did. At 50% ABV it's got real punch but doesn't burn — loads of baking spice, dried apricot, and a long rye-bread finish. Eight years in Kentucky heat clearly did this one some favours. I drink it neat and keep going back for more.

Olivia Wong — The nose alone is worth it

8/10

Soon as I cracked this open I knew it was something special on the nose — caramel, fresh bread, and a waft of dried cherry. Taste follows through pretty well at 50% ABV, though the finish goes a touch bitter if you let it sit too long in the glass. Still, I keep pouring myself another dram so that says something.

Gianluca Ferro — The nose alone is worth it

8/10

Soon as I cracked this open I knew it was something special on the nose — caramel, fresh bread, and a waft of dried cherry. Taste follows through pretty well at 50% ABV, though the finish goes a touch bitter if you let it sit too long in the glass. Still, I keep pouring myself another dram so that says something.

Emily Thomas — The nose alone is worth it

8/10

Soon as I cracked this open I knew it was something special on the nose — caramel, fresh bread, and a waft of dried cherry. Taste follows through pretty well at 50% ABV, though the finish goes a touch bitter if you let it sit too long in the glass. Still, I keep pouring myself another dram so that says something.

Elena Vasquez — American single malt done right

8/10

I've been exploring the American single malt category and this is near the top of my list. Rich and malty with proper rye backbone — think gingerbread, dark honey, and a touch of leather. The 50% ABV is a sweet spot where you get intensity without needing to add water. Would absolutely buy again.

Marcus Chen — American single malt done right

8/10

I've been exploring the American single malt category and this is near the top of my list. Rich and malty with proper rye backbone — think gingerbread, dark honey, and a touch of leather. The 50% ABV is a sweet spot where you get intensity without needing to add water. Would absolutely buy again.

Sophia Laurent — American single malt done right

8/10

I've been exploring the American single malt category and this is near the top of my list. Rich and malty with proper rye backbone — think gingerbread, dark honey, and a touch of leather. The 50% ABV is a sweet spot where you get intensity without needing to add water. Would absolutely buy again.

Samir Patel — Expected more at 8 years old

6/10

I had high hopes for this given the age statement and the hype around New Riff. It's fine — some nice spice and a bit of nutmeg on the palate — but it drinks younger than 8 years to me. Tried it with a single ice cube and it opened up a little, but at £98 I wanted to be wowed and I just wasn't.

Ayako Hirano — Expected more at 8 years old

6/10

I had high hopes for this given the age statement and the hype around New Riff. It's fine — some nice spice and a bit of nutmeg on the palate — but it drinks younger than 8 years to me. Tried it with a single ice cube and it opened up a little, but at £98 I wanted to be wowed and I just wasn't.

Tyler Bennet — Expected more at 8 years old

6/10

I had high hopes for this given the age statement and the hype around New Riff. It's fine — some nice spice and a bit of nutmeg on the palate — but it drinks younger than 8 years to me. Tried it with a single ice cube and it opened up a little, but at £98 I wanted to be wowed and I just wasn't.

Sara Lindstrom — Good but the price gives me pause

7/10

Look, this is a well-made whiskey. Honey, cinnamon, a bit of toasted oak on the nose. But at nearly a hundred quid I keep comparing it to bottles half the price that get me 80% of the way there. If it were £70 I'd rate it higher.

Nils Bergman — Good but the price gives me pause

7/10

Look, this is a well-made whiskey. Honey, cinnamon, a bit of toasted oak on the nose. But at nearly a hundred quid I keep comparing it to bottles half the price that get me 80% of the way there. If it were £70 I'd rate it higher.