New Riff Balboa Rye Bottled in Bond Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey 750ml

New Riff Balboa Rye is one of the most distinctive and genuinely original rye whiskeys made in Kentucky today, a specialty release crafted from rare heirloom Balboa rye grain that had not been distilled into whiskey in decades before New Riff revived it. Balboa is a heritage rye variety that was popular in the 1940s but fell out of commercial use and nearly disappeared, kept alive by a single farmer until New Riff cofounder Jay Erisman, a longtime Slow Food USA advocate, sought it out as part of the distillery's exploration of heirloom grains. The Fogg Family Farm in Indiana now grows Balboa rye exclusively for New Riff. The mashbill is 95% heirloom Balboa rye and 5% malted rye, distilled at New Riff's distillery in Newport, Kentucky, just across the river from Cincinnati, using the full sour mash Kentucky Regimen. The whiskey is then aged a minimum of 4 years in full size 53 gallon toasted and charred new oak barrels, Bottled in Bond (a single distillery, single distilling season, minimum 4 years, 100 proof, under federal supervision) and bottled without chill filtration to preserve every nuance. The result is a balanced, fruit forward rye that drinks unlike anything else on the market: layers of red fruit, clove, rye bread, baking spice, and a long, gorgeous finish that has earned a devoted following among rye enthusiasts.

ABV / Proof

Tasting Notes

Color: Warm copper amber.

Nose: Clean ripe oak with waxy honeyed (not sweet) fruits, red fruits, clove, rye bread, and black and white pepper. With water, colorful rye fruits and additional spice emerge.

Palate: Rounded and full bodied with a dry yet complex entry, clove, horehound candy, and spiced fruit compote at the midpalate, with a chewy texture highlighting the richness. Less sharp than typical 95% rye mashbills, with more fruit forward character.

Finish: Very long and gorgeous, with fruits subtly shaded by clove, wintergreen, nutmeg, baking spices, and pink peppercorn. Detailed and elegant.

FAQ

What is heirloom Balboa rye? Balboa is a heritage variety of rye grain that was popular in the United States in the 1940s but fell out of commercial cultivation as modern higher yielding varieties took over. It was kept alive by a single farmer for years before New Riff partnered with the Fogg Family Farm in Indiana to grow Balboa rye exclusively for the distillery, very likely the first time the grain has been distilled into whiskey in decades and the only example on the market today.

How is Balboa Rye different from New Riff's standard rye? The standard New Riff Bottled in Bond Rye also uses a 95% rye + 5% malted rye mashbill, but the rye grain is sourced from Brooks Grain (conventional rye). The Balboa Rye swaps in the rare heirloom Balboa variety for the 95% rye component, producing a noticeably more fruit forward, less sharp profile, less of the medicinal or dill character typical of mass market 95% ryes.

What does "Bottled in Bond" mean? Bottled in Bond is a federal designation under the Bottled in Bond Act of 1897 requiring the whiskey to be the product of a single distillery, distilled in a single season, aged at least four years in a federally bonded warehouse, and bottled at exactly 100 proof (50% ABV). It is one of the strictest American whiskey designations and a mark of authenticity and quality.

Why non chill filtered? Non chill filtration preserves the natural oils, texture, and full flavor compounds that would be stripped out by chill filtering. At 100 proof, this delivers a fuller, more characterful mouthfeel and richer flavor expression, the way the distillery itself prefers to drink it.

How should I drink it? Excellent neat to fully appreciate the fruit forward heirloom rye character and the long detailed finish. A few drops of water open up additional layers of fruit and spice. Also makes an exceptional Manhattan, Sazerac, or Old Fashioned where the unique Balboa character shines through and elevates the cocktail.

Where can I buy New Riff Balboa Rye online? Available here at Liquor On Broadway while stock lasts, with fast insured shipping nationwide.