Review #: 592
Description: New Riff Maltster: Fall 2022 “Crystal Malt”
Spirit: Bourbon
Background: The fall release of New Riff’s Whiskey Club in 2022, it is a 6 year bourbon featuring the use of T50 Crystal Malted barley in the mash. It’s supposed to be lighter and have more toasted nutty flavors than whatever industry standard malt they normally use. Interestingly, the mash still uses malted rye as well as they think it plays well together with the delicate barley. It’s made up of 65% corn, 20% malted rye, and 15% T50. Aged 6 years and bottled-in-bond
Distillery – New Riff
Bottler – New Riff
Brand – New Riff
Selection – N/A
ABV – 50%
Age – 6 Years
Nose – Very nutty, honey wheat bread, peanut brittle, dry tobacco
Taste – Caramel, almond, thin honey, black tea, sweet and light but not much going on
Finish – Dry and a bit thin and bitter, touch of oak and malt come through
Score: 5
Would I buy a bottle? Probably Pass
Thoughts: Always enjoy New Riff trying something different and getting exposure for different methods and ingredients. The nose on this is really pleasant. I know I only put a few notes, but the nuttiness has a lot of depth and it is very cohesive and enjoyable. But ultimately it falls a little flat after that. Definitely highlights the impact of the malt though because it tastes very different from their normal bourbon, but that doesn’t automatically make it taste better.