These Manic Monday Reviews will be short and sweet. There will be basic background information, a bottle review, and will be posted irregularly; unlike the weekly Friday reviews. These reviews will focus on older or past releases, single barrel releases, bottles that were lost or forgotten on my shelf, or whenever I just want to focus on the bourbon, not the write-up. With that said, today’s review is of the New Riff 8-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Rye.

Bottle Information

From the New Riff Distillery website: From our founding in 2014, New Riff Distilling has carefully set back whiskey for long-term aging. This addition to our core lineup of products is the first older expression of our award-winning flagship rye whiskey. It is bottled without chill filtration at 100 proof. Drawing on our own experience as well as the sour mash traditions of the Kentucky whiskey-making regimen, this rye whiskey is full of character and delivers rich, spicy flavors. The freshness evident here is exceptional, suggesting a barrel of New Riff Rye at eight years old has a long life of aging ahead of it.

• Distiller: Distilled, Aged, and Bottled by New Riff Distillery
• Mash Bill: 95% Rye and 5% Malted Rye
• Proof: 100
• Age: 8
• Year: 2024
• 2025 MSRP: $69
• Official Website

Overall, this… With that said, let’s get our taste on!

• Nose: Mint, Rye Spice, Cherry, Flat Cola, Brown Sugar, and Slight Oak
• Palate: Mint, Brown Sugar, Cherry, Dry Oak, Rye Spice, and Slight Vanilla Cola
• Finish: Medium with Lasting Notes of Rye Spice, Mint, and Drying Oak Tannins that turn almost Sour
• My Rating: Donate It!/Mix It! (A solid rye whiskey, yet I personally find the age to actually hinder this rye whiskey, turning the finish sour…)

Please remember, drinking bourbon is a personal adventure, so do not be afraid to drink it neat, with ice, or add some water. It’s your bourbon, you bought it, and you should enjoy it how you want to enjoy it!

Cheers! Prost! Sláinte!

Bourbon Bossman®