New Riff 4 Year Single Barrel Bourbon

It’s really quite good. Spicy, and a little hot due to its younger age. I taste apple cider donuts, light caramel, and nice oak.

Day 25 of #30daysofbourbon for the #30daybourbonchallenge #bhm New Riff SiB 4 yo straight bourbon 53.5% ABV A new whiskey friend Matt Allen graciously shared a sample of the latest barrel pick from Miami Valley Water of Life. Everyone has been bragging about this pick. I was so thrilled to get to sample this one. I took one sniff of the nose and new I liked, no loved, this pick. Nose: caramel, spice, vanilla. Ethanol Palate: oak, spice, something else I can't put my finger on. I like it though. 🙃 Finish: Strong KY hug from the higher proof. The flavour lingers on your tongue. This is an great bourbon. I'm truly glad I saved a little for a second pour. I regret I didn't get a bottle. 4/5

Birthday gift from my brother in law. This was barrel 16-11657 (distilled 2016) and bottled at 103.7 proof. Light amber color and the nose is equally bright. Lots of green apple and pepper on the nose with a serving of ethanol to bring home the “crisp-ness” of this young and ambitious bourbon. There’s some hay, dill and possibly light maple syrup in there as well. High rye anyone? Entry is mildly viscous and peppery but otherwise reminds me of a caramel apple sucker. Wow, this drinks like it’s 90 proof. The longer I sip the more dill and maple come through. When I sit and think back on other KY/IN border bourbons from craft distilleries I feel like this stands out. Peerless bourbon (have not tried their rye) was thick and just plain sweet. Starlight Huber was bursting with heat and came across as a more classic bourbon. This definitely drinks on the field-cut rye side with more herbal notes and is really refreshing. If I had to rank the 3... this would probably go in the middle. With or without the $60 price figured in the Peerless bourbon is dead last. The 124 proof single barrel, store pick Starlight Huber’s and this store pick were both in the $40-50 range and, like Peerless, are non-chill filtered. Maybe it’s my mood but the Huber’s just hit with the right cola, cherry and wood notes. That said, don’t disregard New Riff. I enjoy this bottle and in full disclosure am a big fan of their single barrel rye. Game on craft distillers!

Nose - lemon and honey