Tastes

This tastes like a carnival to me... Candied apples and cotton candy. When I read the tasting notes here, i absolutely see and get each of those notes, the spice and warm honey.. but without that input, this is like pure candy and I dig it immensely (in small doses).

Nose: sweet and syrupy, butterscotch, cherries, vanilla, some yeasty rye overtones Taste: cherry bomb of a rye, vanilla, cherry chocolate Finish: thin but not disappointing. Some lingering spice to hold you. Impressions: I like this. I wouldn't turn it down, but I wouldn't seek it out.. I paid too much for it in a whiskey bar, but it was worth exploring the brand.

Nose: spicy toothpaste? (Changes after tasting to mimic the flavors I pulled out, but I can still get this vibe if I isolate it) Taste: rye spice, cinnamon and orange that's hiding in the back. Coats the tongue, but thin. Finish: some heat, a dry tang, and baking spices. Impressions: I actually really like this! I had no idea what to expect. It's a very rye-heavy rye, so the spiciness is pronounced, but there's a softness that's unexpected and really smooths it out. I wouldn't seek it out for the price, but I certainly wouldn't turn down a glass if offered.

Sweet and spicy! Wow. There are a lot of flavors to unpack here. Apricot, honey and licorice on the nose. The apricot and anise notes hit up front on the taste, with a silky mouthfeel that still punches you with heat and spice on the finish. This is layered with flavors that somehow all work together. I usually drink whiskey neat, but i think this might open up and allow me to discern more flavors with a few drops of water. I'll update on a subsequent taste if I do. I was able to grab this with an online order and am glad I picked it up. I think it's completely unique in our collection. I wouldn't search for more or pay extra for it, but it's an unusual profile and I'll enjoy drinking it!

Nose: orange and vanilla Taste: thin, but with an oily finish, a little spice up front, citrus and vanilla mid palette but nothing that lingers. Finish, hit of oak and it's over. Very short finish. Impressions: this is good, and I enjoy it, but i think I was expecting more for all the hype. It drinks way below it's proof (ours was 104.1). I'd definitely be willing to try more from New Riff, but this wasn't a bottle I'd chase or pay extra for. That said, I really do enjoy it, and am pleased the bottle is in our rotation.

Nose: orange, honey, baking spices Taste: oily mouthfeel, rye, pumpernickel, clove, orange Finish: warm and lingering. A few drops of water would probably open this up nicely. Impressions: I was gifted this bottle and am thankful for the opportunity to taste it. It has a rich, complex baking vibe, and totally tastes like "harvest" and fall to me. I enjoy the richness of it, but wouldn't want something this heavy/deep as a daily drinker. However as a special occasion sipper, this is a nice addition to my cask strength selections to warm you up!

Nose: almond pound cake. Buttery, nutty Taste: creamy mouthfeel, vanilla, a hint of rye spice or maybe just some bite from the proof, but this dissipates as you work through the glass. Finish: thin and short, but not disappointing Impressions: first sip was a shock. For some reason it has a distinct different taste than I was expecting from a bourbon (as opposed to rye or just a whiskey designation). But I kept going back for it and finished the glass quickly trying to describe it.

Nose: first nosing I got pit fruits and cherry. That stuck with me *until* I sipped. After tasting, the nose was nutty all the way. Taste: if I told you peanut butter and jelly sandwich, you'd laugh... But... Think about a PB&J while you take a sip and you'll understand. The nuttiness come through if you focus on it. The fruity undertones come through if you're looking for them, and pushing it all through is a corn graininess that acts as the bread. Finish: fairly short with maybe a peppery, honey warmth, with just a hint of leather and cinnamon Impressions: unique flavor balance. Not a long lasting finish or flavor profile but could certainly get the job done. For the price point ($24) it's certainly worth a try as a variant to your staple fave, but likely won't take over as others in this range have more depth.