New Riff Winter Whiskey

Tastes very young. I was excited by this one from the tasting notes on the bottle. I did get some of the chocolate and oats alluded to on the label, but unfortunately it was heavily masked by alcohol harshness. I think this should have been made with some older stuff.

I have been on a light search for this whiskey since its initial release. By happenstance wandering into my local liquor store I discovered a few bottles on the shelf. New Riff has always intrigued me and has generally been a satisfying pour. The unique mash bill of malted and raw oats with chocolate malt seems just darn unique. Reminiscent of Corsair Distillery that would mash Quinoa and other non-standard grains (they are not as available as they once were, gone off the grid). Similarly, they created Oatrage. This mash bill consists 65% corn, 20% malted oats, 7% pale ale oats, 5% steel cut oats and 3% chocolate malt. N: Soft milk chocolate aroma is initially present. Time presents other aromas of oatmeal, stout beer, root beer and vanilla. Nice and gentle with no harsh elements P: A bit of zesty youth with a mild tingling sensation. Light and thin, earthy and sweet flavors. A winter breakfast. Butterscotch and maple syrup over oatmeal with walnuts with a sprinkle of spicy cinnamon (Red Hots). F: A warming finish with the cinnamon, charred oak and dark chocolate finish which last a good length of time. O: Pleasant is the best description for this whiskey. It’s not flashy or deep in aroma or flavor. But what it presents is enjoyable. The finish quite lengthy and the warming sensation on a cool night makes it that much enjoyable. If it had a bit more depth and dimension it would be a greater (winter) whiskey. [85/100][$59][Tasted: 12/5/24]

Primarily Oats and chocolate

Young bourbon made with a stupid gimmick someone's gonna excuse cause they hired a beer guy to make their whisk(e)y? I'll take a case! Nose is light citrus with light ethanol...its bourbon. Oh ok...chocolate, vanilla, oats, hell I'm getting rootbeer. It's not RICH or decadent, but it's really really something nice, a change of pace, and ok...it's kinda awesome. Taste - yeah it's new riff if you know that. But it's young 4 year bourbon with chocolate chip cookie notes, oatmeal notes, hints of toffee. Yeah it's a bit youthful, it's got some citrus which doesn't go with cookies. Look - I'm downplaying this because as a whisky guy....it's not our traditional whisky.I just wanted to have fun. Honestly - this is the best 50 dollar whiskey I've had in years...it's 55 now. Oh well. I do think this year's was a HAIR worse than last. Oh well. If you want a chocolate oatmeal forward young bourbon with more oak notes than you'd expect. Get this. If you don't....still get it! I'm iffy on score but I think 2.75 is about right. I could go higher, and for PRICE, it's a 4 star! But buy this in a second people! It's 125 dollar whisky in 2023 for 55.