New Riff 7 Year Sour Mash Single Malt (Fall 2023 Release)

Caramel. Robust. Baking bread, thick and creamy. Another home run from New Riff

Pretty complex. Lots of sherry and new oak. Flavors range from dates and raisins to dark chocolate and clove. Oddly one of the most drinkable whiskies I've had in a while.

Trying a pour at the distillery bar, really good stuff. Definitely an American malt with heavy oak influence and hints of fruits from the wine finishes. Also black pepper and rye spices, likely from the oak and wine barrels.

Disclaimer: I am wheated bourbon guy and this is one of my first single malts so not my wheelhouse. Nose: The nose is approachable at the proof point. However, I could really only pick out oak. Would have liked more of the other notes to come through. Pallet: Drinks below its 114 proof. Smoke, Oak, Leather, Tobacco notes.*** Finish: I get KC15 vibes. It’s smooth by slightly dry, but this is nothing crazy. ***Added a few drops of water and got some sweetness like apricot and dried friut but mostly a smokey oaky flavor through and through. Update (one month later): Let the bottle sit and tried it again. Bottle has opened up very nicely. Flavor is a little more complex and slightly different than before. I still get those malt flavor but some more fruit flavor comes through with a hint of saltyness at the end. Drinks a little hotter than previously but still feels well below the 114. Overall, still not in my wheelhouse but unique and cool bottle to have.