New Riff never stops trying new things. Last year they release a malted rye whiskey, which was novel even in today’s ever-evolving whiskey market. More importantly, it was an absolute delight. Now they’ve decided to see what happens when you put 5-year-old malted rye whiskey into Spanish sherry barrels. Wouldn’t you know it… it’s even better.
For this sherry finished elaboration, New Riff imported custom-made 53-gallon Spanish sherry casks and filled them with 5-year-old New Riff Malted Rye Whiskey.
I don’t normally drink rye whiskey neat — let alone 100% rye — instead letting it shine in spirit-forward cocktails. This one begs to be consumed all by itself, though. The graininess and spiciness of the rye jump out of the glass and are everything you’d want from a drink. It’s a strong independent spirit and it don’t need no bitters.
Tasting Notes:
Bottled straight from the barrel at 112.7 proof, the Sherry Finished Malted Rye Whiskey has a buttery, sherry oak nose with notes of walnut and a hint of vanilla. The broad, savory character fills the mouth with flavors of sappy sherry coupled with malty grain, followed with a late bursting finish of brightening spices such as clove and wood spice with multicolored fruit skin.
The MSRP for Sherry Finished Malted Rye Whiskey is $65, and like many things from New Riff, it has a limited release. It’s well worth trying to track down a bottle, or even joining New Riff’s Whiskey Club to be sure you don’t miss the next new whiskey.
