New Riff Unveils Latest Single Malt Whiskey

Newport, KY (May 8, 2026) --- New Riff Distilling announced the release of its fourth installment of its acclaimed Single Malt Whiskey, a 2026 expression featuring some of the distillery’s oldest malt whiskeys to date. It highlights the time-honored heritage of malted barley with Kentucky’s sour mash traditions. New Riff stands among the first—and still one of the few—pioneering distilleries bringing this emerging whiskey category to market. The Newport distillery started distilling batches of malt whiskey shortly after its founding in 2014 and released the initial batch in 2023. New Riff’s 2026 Single Malt Whiskey will be available nationwide at select retailers, online for shipping and pickup, and at the distillery gift shop beginning Friday, May 15.

“This is one of the most creative whiskeys we make, and a blend we look forward to revisiting every year,” said Master Distiller Brian Sprance. “These whiskeys are inspired by malted barleys used in the brewing industry, reimagined through our Kentucky regimen.”

The earliest distillations of the 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.

New Riff’s 2026 Single Malt Whiskey is comprised of six mashbills aged in five different cask types, marking this expression as one of the distillery’s most intricate blends to date. This year’s blend introduces Chevallier, an 1800s heirloom British malt variety, making its debut in New Riff’s Single Malt distillate for the first time. Distilled using the unmistakable Kentucky regimen—sour mash, open fermentation, and a column still—this whiskey bridges the time-honored heritage of malted barley with Kentucky tradition, resulting in one of New Riff’s most complex and rewarding whiskeys made yet. It showcases the creativity and technical expertise of its distilling team while continuing its more than decade-long commitment to delivering “A New Riff on an Old Tradition.”

The 2026 Single Malt Whiskey has a suggested retail price of $69.99 and is bottled without chill filtration at 111.7 proof, with a mashbill of 100% malted barley. It includes 11.7% Marris Otter, 14.1% Golden Promise, 27.7% of a beer-inspired Barleywine, 16.5% Belgian Quadrupel, 18% Scottish peated barley, and 12% Chevallier—the historic British heirloom barley popularized by the 19th century brewing scene, now making its first appearance in a New Riff whiskey.

The five casks the malt whiskeys matured in include new charred oak, de-charred toasted oak, used bourbon barrels, Spanish oloroso sherry casks, and Pedro Ximenez sherry casks.

“This year, we were especially excited to introduce Chevallier malt into the blend, a variety that brings a distinct character and adds another layer to the overall profile,” said Sprance. “We’ve spent years working with a wide range of malts, and that experience is really shown through how this whiskey comes together. Each component can stand on its own, but the real magic is in how they interact, showcasing our expertise in blending and bringing all of those elements into balance.”

The 2026 Single Malt Whiskey release opens with broad, oaky and toasty notes that develop into rich, dark fruit, cacao and smoky citrus on the nose, Sensory and Warehouse Manager Bryon Martin noted. Layered oak-forward notes lead to a juicy, sweet fruit mouthfeel and chewy texture, with a sherry oak and smoky introduction rounded out by a zesty orange marmalade and lingering peat smoke finish.

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 and—the gateway to bourbon country—the independently owned distillery produces award-winning bourbon, rye, single malt whiskey and gin, including its acclaimed flagship Bottled-in-Bond Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, which was named the World’s Best Bourbon at the 2026 World Whiskies Awards. 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.