New Riff has been one of the most exciting stories in Kentucky whiskey over the past decade. While the bigger names rest on heritage and marketing budgets, New Riff has been quietly putting out bottled-in-bond and single barrel releases that punch well above their weight class. This Sherry Finish Rye is a perfect example of what happens when a distillery with serious ambition decides to take an already solid Kentucky straight rye and give it a secondary maturation in sherry casks. At 55.7% ABV, it's bottled at a proof that tells you they're not messing about — this is whiskey that wants to be taken seriously.
Let's talk about what makes this release interesting from a production standpoint. You're starting with a Kentucky straight rye, which means a minimum of two years aging and a mashbill of at least 51% rye grain. New Riff is known for using a high-rye mashbill, which gives their spirit a spicier, more assertive backbone than many competitors. Then you're finishing that in sherry casks — likely oloroso, given the style — which introduces dried fruit sweetness, nuttiness, and a rounder mouthfeel that plays beautifully against rye's natural peppery kick. It's a combination that makes a lot of sense on paper, and in the glass it delivers.
Tasting Notes
I'll be upfront: I'm not going to fabricate specific tasting notes I don't have documented for this particular bottling. What I can tell you is that the sherry finish on a high-proof rye creates a profile that sits somewhere between a classic spice-forward American rye and a sherried Scotch. Expect that interplay between baking spices, dark fruit, and the kind of oak richness you get from quality cask finishing. The 55.7% ABV means there's real weight and texture here — this isn't a whiskey that fades on the palate.
The Verdict
At £128, you're paying a premium, but I think it's justified. Sherry-finished American ryes are still relatively uncommon, and finding one bottled at cask strength from a distillery with New Riff's reputation for quality is worth the investment. This isn't a daily drinker — it's the bottle you pull out when someone says they think they've tried everything American whiskey has to offer. It bridges the gap between bourbon country and the sherry-cask traditions of Scotch whisky in a way that feels genuinely original rather than gimmicky. I'm giving it an 8 out of 10. It's confident, well-executed, and does something that not many other bottles on the shelf are doing right now.
Best Served
Pour this one neat in a Glencairn or tulip glass and give it five minutes to open up. The high proof means a few drops of water will unlock a lot — don't be shy about it. If you want to mix, a Manhattan with this as the base would be outstanding. The sherry influence adds a richness that pairs brilliantly with sweet vermouth, and the rye spice keeps everything from getting too syrupy. Use a quality sweet vermouth like Cocchi di Torino, a couple of dashes of Angostura, and stir it properly. You'll end up with one of the best Manhattans you've ever made at home.
