Review #: 589
Description: New Riff High Note 8 Year 100% Malted Rye
Spirit: Rye
Background: The first 8 year release (along with their Bohemian Wheat). Their malted rye whiskey really shined at 6 years and 50% ABV, but this adds another 2 years and is cask strength, so I have high hopes (and was upset this sold out so quickly).
Distillery – New Riff
Bottler – New Riff
Brand – New Riff
Selection – N/A
ABV – 59.1%
Age – 8 Years
Nose – The strawberry from the 6 year is still there but it’s deeper and more ripe and maybe a bit of dark cherry, sweet gingerbread, rich fudge, toasted savory herbs
Taste – Cinnabon, dark cherry juice, rootbeer, almost a bit of pine sap. It’s a bit thin and not as rich as I was hoping, given some of their other releases
Finish – Brownie batter, dark fruit, lots of warmth from baking spices and toasted oak and even some fresh sage coming through
Score: 7
Would I buy a bottle? Yes
Thoughts: My only real issue with this is that I was hoping for a super thick, rich, and buttery mouthfeel and it just fell a slight bit short of that. Given how the sherry finish elevated it, this one felt more on par with the 6 year release despite the higher proof. That said, still a super well composed and tasty whiskey. Can’t wait until they have some 10 – 12 year releases of this, because I think that will be the sweet spot.