New Riff Revives Award-Winning Red Turkey Wheat Bourbon

New Riff Revives Award-Winning Red Turkey Wheat Bourbon 

Aged 5 years, bottled-in-bond, and distilled with an heirloom grain  

Newport, KY (Aug. 8, 2025) - - - Made with an heirloom grain varietal, New Riff Distilling announced the re-release of its acclaimed Red Turkey Wheat Kentucky Straight Bourbon for the first time in four years. A rare wheated whiskey from the Northern Kentucky distillery, this release will be available across New Riff’s national footprint in limited quantities. 

“We’ve worked with heirloom grains since the beginning at New Riff, and Red Turkey Wheat is a great example of our continued exploration into unique, historic ingredients,” said Master Distiller Brian Sprance. “Red Turkey Wheat, which dates back to the 1870s, brings deeper flavors and aromas that you don’t often find in modern grain varieties. Today, it’s being preserved by farmers, artisan bakers, and distillers, and we’re proud to be part of that effort through our whiskey.” 

New Riff first began distilling with Red Turkey Wheat in 2016 and has continued distilling, aging and developing this wheated bourbon ever since. The inaugural batch was released in 2021 and earned accolades including gold medals from both the San Francisco World Spirits Competition and Barleycorn Awards. 

The release has notes of citrus, slight sweetness, and a touch of cinnamon, Sprance said. On the nose, Red Turkey Wheat is “grainy and bready, with clove-studded orange, praline, confection, dark fruit and citrus notes.” The palate is chewy and “remarkably zesty, even citrusy” with moments of dark stewed fruits, moderately sweet and well-balanced, with black cherry skin into the finish —?which is exceptionally long, beginning with a nutty grain character followed by bright citrus and dark fruit skin. 

New Riff Red Turkey Wheat is made with 70% corn, 25% Red Turkey Wheat and 5% malted barley. It is aged at least 5 years and bottled-in-bond at 100 proof at a suggested retail price of $59.99/750mL. It will be available beginning Aug. 15 at select retail locations nationwide and for online shipping through the distillery’s website (where available). Bottles will also be available at the distillery. 

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.