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 Bourbon.

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 bourbon. It is bottled without chill filtration at 100 proof with a mashbill of 65% corn, 30% rye and 5% malted barley.

Drawing on our own experience as well as the sour mash traditions of the Kentucky whiskey-making regimen, this high-rye, unfiltered Bourbon delivers savory-spicy flavors over the inimitable foundation of mature Kentucky whiskey.

Like all New Riff whiskeys, an abundance of rye spice is present, however, secondary and tertiary flavors are significantly deeper and more developed. Oaky flavors throughout are richer and the freshness evident here is exceptional, suggesting a barrel of New Riff Bourbon at eight years old has a long life of aging ahead of it.

While New Riff is committed to bottled-in-bond standards, we made the difficult decision to waive that status for this release, focusing on a wider distribution network than previous specialty releases. Despite meeting all other requirements of a bonded whiskey, due to the comparatively small production from the earliest years of New Riff, this release blends bourbons from two distilling seasons aged a minimum of 8 years.

• Distiller: Distilled, Aged, and Bottled by New Riff Distillery
• Mash Bill: 65% Corn, 30% Rye, and 5% Malted Barley
• Proof: 100
• Age: 8
• Year: 2024
• MSRP: $69
• 2025 National Average: $87
• Official Website

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

• Nose: Apricot, Vanilla, Brown Sugar, Rye Spice, and Oak
• Palate: Vanilla, Brown Sugar, Red Fruit, Rye Spice, and Dry Oak
• Finish: Medium with Notes of Tannin, Rye Spice, and Dry Oak
• My Rating: Mix It! (A great 8 Year Bourbon, but nothing special to write home about. This is, however, a solid pour over ice after a long day at work.)

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®