🎸 New Riff Double Feature: Bottled-in-Bond vs Single Barrel Bourbon

Jul 14

A Tortured Bourbon Review & Tasting Showdown

Welcome back to another Tortured Bourbon blog recap, y’all! This week on our show, we plugged in an electric guitar, annoyed Heather just a bit, and dove headfirst into two powerhouse Kentucky bourbons from New Riff Distilling: the New Riff Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon (100 proof) and the New Riff Single Barrel Bourbon (117.3 proof).

This episode was equal parts rock concert and bourbon classroom. If you want to see the full chaos, be sure to watch it on YouTube here. Then pour yourself a glass and read on—because we’re breaking it all down below with extra tasting notes, bourbon facts, and our honest (sometimes too honest) takes.

🎬 Who is New Riff Distilling?

New Riff is a relative newcomer on the Kentucky bourbon scene. Founded in 2014 by Ken Lewis and Jay Erisman, two liquor retail veterans, the distillery set up shop in Newport, Kentucky—literally across the Ohio River from Cincinnati.

Their name says it all: New Riff. As in: a new guitar riff on an old, beloved song. The idea? Respect Kentucky bourbon tradition, but rewrite the melody with bolder mash bills, innovative barrel toasting, and a transparent approach that would make even the snobbiest bourbon nerd smile.

✅ New Riff’s Core Philosophy

All bourbon is distilled, aged, and bottled on-site in Newport, KY.
Uses water from a deep limestone aquifer—giving classic minerality.
Strict sour mash fermentation.
No chill filtering—keeping fatty acids, esters, and oils intact for richer mouthfeel.
A focus on Bottled-in-Bond law, honoring the 1897 act that guarantees quality.

🥃 New Riff Bourbon Mash Bill

Both bourbons we tasted this episode use the same high-rye mash bill, which gives New Riff its spicy, peppery signature.

65% corn
30% rye
5% malted barley

That 30% rye is seriously big for Kentucky bourbon, which is why New Riff always dances right on the edge of classic bourbon sweetness and rye whiskey bite.

🥃 Pour #1 – New Riff Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon (100 Proof)

This expression is New Riff’s flagship. It’s their way of tipping a hat to the Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897, which legally guarantees:

One distillery, one distilling season
Minimum 4 years aging in new charred oak
Bottled at exactly 100 proof
Federal oversight for purity & authenticity

📝 Tasting Notes

Nose:

Butterscotch, fresh oak, vanilla, minty rye pop.

Palate:

Rich mouthfeel with cinnamon, cloves, subtle mint, dark berries.

Finish:

Long rye warmth that ends on a gentle peppery zing.

This is the bottle to reach for if you want an everyday sipper that still feels serious. It’s got enough spice to stay interesting but enough caramel and oak to ground it as classic Kentucky bourbon.

🔥 Pour #2 – New Riff Single Barrel Bourbon (117.3 Proof)

This is where New Riff cranks it to eleven. Each Single Barrel is bottled at barrel strength, which means our bottle landed at a hearty 117.3 proof. No water added, no chill filtering—just pure, uncut Kentucky bourbon.

📝 Tasting Notes

Nose:

Deep caramel, rye bread crust, sweet corn, charred marshmallow, bright oak.

Palate:

A wave of rye spice that eventually eases into syrupy caramel, dark cocoa, and a rich, chewy texture.

Finish:

Long and oak-heavy with cherry licorice and that telltale high-proof fire—balanced by lingering sweet spice.

This pour is for the adventurous drinker. It might come across “wild” at first sip, but give it a swirl, let it breathe, or add a drop of water, and suddenly it’s like dessert. Our crowd often uses these for special pours or bottle shares—because each barrel is a new story.

🥃 Why We Love New Riff (and Why You Might Too)

✅ High-Rye Kick: That 30% rye does wonders. If you love spicy, herbal, cinnamon-heavy pours, these will be your jam.

✅ Transparency: They list everything—mash bill, age, barrel details. No sourced mystery juice here.

✅ Non-Chill Filtering: All the flavor compounds and a luscious, slightly oily mouthfeel.

✅ True Kentucky Spirit: Even though they’re new, they honor every bit of bourbon law—especially Bottled-in-Bond.

✅ Single Barrel Fun: Every bottle is a unique expression of their style.

🎸 The Tortured Bourbon Breakdown

On the show, B literally broke out his electric guitar to demonstrate “new riffs,” while Heather mostly rolled her eyes and tried to steer us back to the bourbon. (Hey, we’re an entertainment channel and a whiskey review—don’t judge.)

Together, we ran both bottles through our Tortured Bourbon Scale:

Piddlin: don’t bother
Bless Your Heart: meh
That Dog Will Hunt: above average everyday sipper
Hush Your Mouth: outstanding
Cock of the Walk: top tier, take a bow

You’ll have to watch the episode to see where each bottle landed—but we can tell you right now, neither disappointed.

💬 What’s Your Favorite New Riff Expression?

Drop a comment below (or on our YouTube) and tell us your thoughts. Have you tried the New Riff Bottled-in-Bond or Single Barrel? Do you prefer the classic 100-proof structure or the chaotic fun of barrel proof? Got a favorite high-rye Kentucky bourbon we need to taste next?

📲 Keep the Bourbon Party Going!

Watch this episode on YouTube: Click here to see the chaos
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for behind-the-scenes pours, memes, and to catch our next Pour Decisions Wednesday or Bottled-in-Bond showdown.
Dive into more bourbon blogs at torturedbourbon.com.

🥃 Final Thoughts

New Riff is proof that Kentucky still makes room for new legends. From their Bottled-in-Bond to their ever-changing Single Barrels, they’re delivering serious bourbon that respects tradition but isn’t afraid to shred a new solo on top. We’ll keep these on our shelf—and probably annoy Heather with more guitar antics in the process.

Until next time, cheers y’all—and stay tortured. 🥃