Review #: 588
Description: New Riff Malted Rye Sherry Finish
Spirit: Rye
Background: Following up the 6 year Malted Rye, it makes sense to follow it with their sherry finished version. This was a New Riff Whiskey Club exclusive. They took that same 100% malted rye mash and at 5 years, put the whiskey into 12 oloroso and 3 PX casks to finish for a year. Dumped and left to marry together for a few months, they then bottled it at barrel proof (which really caught my eye). So how does that sherry influence change the end product?
Distillery – New Riff
Bottler – New Riff
Brand – New Riff
Selection – N/A
ABV – 56.35%
Age – 6 Years
Nose – Really dark and rich, strong Raisin Bran vibes, almost an Armagnac like initial impression with that tobacco and stewed fruit smell but there is a sweet bread backbone to it
Taste – Super rich, chocolate covered cherries, raspberry danish (really buttery), caramel apple, bran flakes, raisin
Finish – Cooked apple, spicy cinnamon, rum soaked raisins, sweet tobacco, Fig Newtons, toasted marshmallow
Score: 8
Would I buy a bottle? Yes
Thoughts: Fun to see the difference. The sherry definitely mutes some of the rye pop and replaces it with big cooked fruit notes. It tastes like a completely different whiskey in that sense, but there are some parallels. They say they see it as a malted whiskey first and a rye second, and to me, this is far more comparable to a Scotch malt than an American whiskey. I say that as a compliment though as the integration here, while heavy, is well done and harmonious. Very delicious.