New Riff Announces Second Release of Sour Mash Single Malt Whiskey

New Riff Announces Second Release of Sour Mash Single Malt Whiskey  

Newport distillery unveils latest installment of its coveted malt whiskey project 

Newport, KY (Aug. 28, 2024) - - - New Riff Distilling announced the subsequent release of its award-winning Sour Mash Single Malt whiskey, a 2024 version featuring an exploratory compilation of mashbills promising a unique depth and complexity, producing an overall enhanced and elevated body and flavor of whiskey. New Riff started distilling batches of malt whiskey shortly after its founding in 2014 and deemed the first batch ready for release last fall. 

“This year's blend has evolved in a way that will still be familiar to fans of last year's Single Malt, especially in the balance of sherry cask and peaty-smoky flavors, despite changes to the internal blend,” said co-founder and vice president Jay Erisman. “In fact, I believe it’s even more cohesive and well-integrated. I'm truly thrilled with how it has turned out!” 

The earliest distillations of the guarded internal project started in the first few months of the distillery’s existence. Over the years, New Riff has explored additional mashbills and barrels, filling barrels at 110 proof and letting them age quietly in Northern Kentucky. 

While this blend is comprised of the same mashbills as the initial release, which used barrels ranging from 7 to 8 years old, this year’s blend features 9-year-old barrels, along with Madeira Cask-aged malt whiskey, proudly introducing an extraordinary whiskey profile unearthed from continued malted barley exploration. 

The 2024 Sour Mash Single Malt Whiskey is bottled without chill filtration at 114.5 proof with a mashbill comprised of 100% barley varietals — Golden Promise, Maris Otter, and Scottish peated barley malt — as well as two beer-inspired mashbills based on classic Barleywine and Belgian Quadrupel recipes. Each offers a distinct flavor profile. 

This oak-forward 2024 Sour Mash Single Malt release uniquely embodies a robust spectrum of flavors ranging from rich, dark, and zesty citrus fruits to complementary balances of Earthy and savory smoke notes, according to sensory manager Bryon Martin. 

“Our Single Malt program represents a level of complexity and exploration in malted barley not seen before in Kentucky’s whiskey history,” Erisman added. 

New Riff’s monthly whiskey education series, WHSKY NRD, will be presenting Single Malt seminar classes Friday, Sept. 6, and Friday, Nov. 8, where guests can hear the distillery’s Single Malt project origin story and taste through the whiskeys with the whiskey makers themselves, including New Riff’s Jay Erisman. 

The 2024 Sour Mash Single Malt has a suggested retail price of $69.99 and will be available for purchase at New Riff’s distillery gift shop beginning Friday, Aug. 30, at 11 a.m. EST. It will be available for online shipping and at retailers across the distillery’s distribution network in the coming weeks. 

New Riff (Newport, KY): 

Fiercely independent and unabashedly innovative: New Riff Distilling starts with time-honored sour mash methods and bottled-in-bond standards, creating new riffs on old traditions since 2014. Located in Northern Kentucky — the gateway to bourbon country — the independently-owned distillery produces award-winning bourbon, rye, single malt whiskey and gin. Bourbon and rye are also available in single barrel selections, and the distillery boasts a popular private barrel selection program offering quarter, half and full barrel picks complete with personalized labels. New Riff sources its water from an alluvial aquifer under the distillery, accessed via a 100’ deep private well and providing cold, clean and mineral-rich water perfect for whiskey making. The public-facing spaces in the distillery, renovated in 2023, include the Riff Shop with customizable gifting options and locally sourced artisan goods; and The Aquifer Tasting Room, located on the third floor of the distillery, featuring signature cocktails, flights, and pours of New Riff’s entire portfolio of award-winning spirits including rare, limited-edition, and distillery-exclusive releases. 

###