New Riff Aged 6 Years Kentucky Straight Malted Rye Whiskey Bottled in Bond 750ml

New Riff Straight Malted Rye Whiskey is one of the most distinctive and elegant rye whiskeys made in Kentucky today, distilled from a 100% malted rye mashbill, an unusual mash even in today's craft distilling scene. Malted rye is rye grain that has gone through the malting process, the same process used to make single malt whisky, which alters the grain's enzymes and arguably refines and elevates its flavor. The typically sharp, peppery character of unmalted rye becomes polished, graceful, and sophisticated, with malting bringing out plump fruit, candied sweetness, and a unique toasty malty note alongside the spice. Distilled at New Riff Distilling in Newport, Kentucky using the full sour mash Kentucky Regimen, then aged a minimum of 6 years in full size 53 gallon toasted and charred new oak barrels. Bottled in Bond (single distillery, single season, minimum 4 years, 100 proof) and bottled without chill filtration to preserve every nuance of the texture and flavor. At six years, this is the oldest age statement in New Riff's standard portfolio, what the distillery itself describes as "an exclamation point" atop the lineup. Many enthusiasts consider it as much a malted whiskey first and a rye whiskey second, an entirely different beast from the brand's flagship 95% rye and from anything else in the broader American rye category.

ABV / Proof

Tasting Notes

Color: Rich copper amber.

Nose: Savory and floral with powdered sugar, balanced oak, vanilla, plum skin and pear, complex and layered. Thick with clove, figs, raisins, anise, tangerine, cinnamon, nutmeg, brown sugar, and a hint of toasted orange zest.

Palate: Plump and rounded with a medium to full body and creamy mouthfeel. Finely dovetailed elegant spices, saltwater taffy, blood orange, ginger, apple, vanilla, hint of grapefruit, clove, anise, mint, and a compelling toasty malty note that sets it apart from any other rye.

Finish: Long, focused, and refined with clove and pink peppercorn, drying with honey, citrus, and a touch of caramel. Elegant.

FAQ

What is malted rye whiskey? Malted rye is rye grain that has been allowed to germinate and then kiln dried, the same malting process used for single malt whisky. The malting alters the grain's enzymes and starch profile and produces a distinctly different flavor compared to unmalted rye, more polished, plump, and fruit forward, with a uniquely "malty" character that is hard to find anywhere else in American whiskey. A 100% malted rye mashbill is genuinely rare even in craft distilling.

How is this different from the standard New Riff Rye? The flagship New Riff Bottled in Bond Rye is 95% rye + 5% malted rye, aged 4 years, bottled at 100 proof. The Malted Rye is 100% malted rye, aged 6 years (two extra years of maturation), still at 100 proof. The difference is significant: where the standard rye is spicy and peppery, the Malted Rye is fruit forward, elegant, and almost confectionery, with deeper oak from the longer aging. The distillery itself suggests thinking of it as "a malted whiskey first and a rye whiskey second."

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 flavor compounds that would be stripped out by chill filtering. At 100 proof, this delivers a fuller, more characterful mouthfeel and a richer flavor expression, the way the distillery itself prefers to drink it. All New Riff whiskeys are bottled this way.

How should I drink it? The 6 year age and elegant malted character make this an excellent neat sipper, with a Glencairn glass and 10 to 15 minutes of rest revealing the layered fruit and spice complexity. It also makes a sophisticated Manhattan or Old Fashioned where the malted character adds depth that no standard rye can match. Versatile, distinctive, and rewarding.

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