New Riff has been turning heads in Kentucky for some time now, and this 8 Year Old Single Malt represents something genuinely interesting from a distillery that refuses to cut corners. At 50% ABV — bottled without chill filtration, as is New Riff's house standard — this is a whiskey that arrives with real conviction. Eight years of age on a Kentucky single malt puts it in relatively rare territory; most American single malts hit the market considerably younger, so there is patience at work here that deserves acknowledgement.
What strikes me about this release is the category itself. American single malt whiskey remains an emerging designation, and New Riff's decision to work with malted rye grain adds another layer of distinction. This is not a bourbon, not a traditional rye, and not a Scotch imitator. It occupies its own ground. At £98.75, you are paying for something with genuine age and a production philosophy that prioritises substance over speed — no sourced stock, no shortcuts.
Tasting Notes
I do not have detailed tasting notes to share at the time of writing, but the profile of this whiskey can be reasonably anticipated from its credentials. Eight years in Kentucky's climate — where seasonal temperature swings drive aggressive interaction between spirit and wood — tends to produce whiskies with considerable depth and oak influence. The rye malt base should bring a spicier, grainier backbone than you would find in a barley-based single malt, while the bottling strength of 50% ABV ensures nothing has been diluted away for the sake of approachability. Expect a whiskey that demands your attention rather than asking for it politely.
The Verdict
I am giving the New Riff 8 Year Old Single Malt a score of 7.7 out of 10. This is a genuinely good whiskey that earns its place on the shelf through honest production and proper maturation. The price point sits at the higher end for American whiskey, but you are getting eight years of Kentucky ageing at a robust 50% ABV — there is real value in the glass. Where it falls just short of the top tier is in the sheer competitiveness of the single malt category globally; at this price, it shares shelf space with some formidable Scotch and Japanese expressions. But taken on its own terms, as a statement of what American single malt can be when given time and care, it is well worth seeking out. New Riff continues to prove that Kentucky has more to offer than bourbon alone.
Best Served
Pour this neat and give it five minutes to open up in the glass. If the 50% ABV carries too much heat on the first sip, add a small splash of still water — no more than a teaspoon — and let it sit another minute. The bottling strength is there for a reason, and diluting too aggressively would undo the distillery's intention. A Glencairn glass will concentrate the aromas nicely. This is an after-dinner whiskey: something to sit with, not rush through.
Community Reviews
Yuki Nakamura
Solid sipper, nothing more
7/10
Nice enough neat. You get the classic rye kick with some vanilla and a hint of citrus peel. The finish is medium length, pleasant but doesn't linger the way I'd want at this price point. It's a 7 from me — competent but not memorable.
4 May 2026
Marcus Blackwell
Solid sipper, nothing more
7/10
Nice enough neat. You get the classic rye kick with some vanilla and a hint of citrus peel. The finish is medium length, pleasant but doesn't linger the way I'd want at this price point. It's a 7 from me — competent but not memorable.
4 May 2026
Lena Petrova
Solid sipper, nothing more
7/10
Nice enough neat. You get the classic rye kick with some vanilla and a hint of citrus peel. The finish is medium length, pleasant but doesn't linger the way I'd want at this price point. It's a 7 from me — competent but not memorable.
4 May 2026
Jackson Wu
New Riff nailed this one
9/10
This is one of the best American single malts I've tried, full stop. The 8 years of age really shows — it's got this gorgeous depth of dark fruit and toffee with the rye spice weaving through everything. Poured it for three mates and we killed the bottle in one sitting.
30 April 2026
Daisy Miller
New Riff nailed this one
9/10
This is one of the best American single malts I've tried, full stop. The 8 years of age really shows — it's got this gorgeous depth of dark fruit and toffee with the rye spice weaving through everything. Poured it for three mates and we killed the bottle in one sitting.
29 April 2026
Luna Chavez
New Riff nailed this one
9/10
This is one of the best American single malts I've tried, full stop. The 8 years of age really shows — it's got this gorgeous depth of dark fruit and toffee with the rye spice weaving through everything. Poured it for three mates and we killed the bottle in one sitting.
29 April 2026
Ravi Krishnan
Solid sipper, nothing more
7/10
Nice enough neat. You get the classic rye kick with some vanilla and a hint of citrus peel. The finish is medium length, pleasant but doesn't linger the way I'd want at this price point. It's a 7 from me — competent but not memorable.
15 April 2026
Clara Johansson
Solid sipper, nothing more
7/10
Nice enough neat. You get the classic rye kick with some vanilla and a hint of citrus peel. The finish is medium length, pleasant but doesn't linger the way I'd want at this price point. It's a 7 from me — competent but not memorable.
15 April 2026
Erik Strom
New Riff nailed this one
9/10
This is one of the best American single malts I've tried, full stop. The 8 years of age really shows — it's got this gorgeous depth of dark fruit and toffee with the rye spice weaving through everything. Poured it for three mates and we killed the bottle in one sitting.
10 April 2026
Benjamin Ross
New Riff nailed this one
9/10
This is one of the best American single malts I've tried, full stop. The 8 years of age really shows — it's got this gorgeous depth of dark fruit and toffee with the rye spice weaving through everything. Poured it for three mates and we killed the bottle in one sitting.
10 April 2026
Freya Lindqvist
Surprisingly complex for a single malt rye
8/10
I grabbed this on a whim and I'm glad I did. At 50% ABV it's got real punch but doesn't burn — loads of baking spice, dried apricot, and a long rye-bread finish. Eight years in Kentucky heat clearly did this one some favours. I drink it neat and keep going back for more.
8 April 2026
Tomas Rivera
Surprisingly complex for a single malt rye
8/10
I grabbed this on a whim and I'm glad I did. At 50% ABV it's got real punch but doesn't burn — loads of baking spice, dried apricot, and a long rye-bread finish. Eight years in Kentucky heat clearly did this one some favours. I drink it neat and keep going back for more.
8 April 2026
Suki Patel
Surprisingly complex for a single malt rye
8/10
I grabbed this on a whim and I'm glad I did. At 50% ABV it's got real punch but doesn't burn — loads of baking spice, dried apricot, and a long rye-bread finish. Eight years in Kentucky heat clearly did this one some favours. I drink it neat and keep going back for more.
8 April 2026
Andre Dubois
Surprisingly complex for a single malt rye
8/10
I grabbed this on a whim and I'm glad I did. At 50% ABV it's got real punch but doesn't burn — loads of baking spice, dried apricot, and a long rye-bread finish. Eight years in Kentucky heat clearly did this one some favours. I drink it neat and keep going back for more.
20 March 2026
Mei-Lin Wu
Surprisingly complex for a single malt rye
8/10
I grabbed this on a whim and I'm glad I did. At 50% ABV it's got real punch but doesn't burn — loads of baking spice, dried apricot, and a long rye-bread finish. Eight years in Kentucky heat clearly did this one some favours. I drink it neat and keep going back for more.
19 March 2026
Annika Svensson
The nose alone is worth it
8/10
Soon as I cracked this open I knew it was something special on the nose — caramel, fresh bread, and a waft of dried cherry. Taste follows through pretty well at 50% ABV, though the finish goes a touch bitter if you let it sit too long in the glass. Still, I keep pouring myself another dram so that says something.
11 February 2026
Diana Cruz
The nose alone is worth it
8/10
Soon as I cracked this open I knew it was something special on the nose — caramel, fresh bread, and a waft of dried cherry. Taste follows through pretty well at 50% ABV, though the finish goes a touch bitter if you let it sit too long in the glass. Still, I keep pouring myself another dram so that says something.
11 February 2026
Olivia Wong
The nose alone is worth it
8/10
Soon as I cracked this open I knew it was something special on the nose — caramel, fresh bread, and a waft of dried cherry. Taste follows through pretty well at 50% ABV, though the finish goes a touch bitter if you let it sit too long in the glass. Still, I keep pouring myself another dram so that says something.
11 February 2026
Aria Kim
American single malt done right
8/10
I've been exploring the American single malt category and this is near the top of my list. Rich and malty with proper rye backbone — think gingerbread, dark honey, and a touch of leather. The 50% ABV is a sweet spot where you get intensity without needing to add water. Would absolutely buy again.
31 January 2026
James Okafor
American single malt done right
8/10
I've been exploring the American single malt category and this is near the top of my list. Rich and malty with proper rye backbone — think gingerbread, dark honey, and a touch of leather. The 50% ABV is a sweet spot where you get intensity without needing to add water. Would absolutely buy again.
31 January 2026
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