Review #277: Rye #41: New Riff Single Barrel Rye 4yr

Barrel number: 15-4003

This is a single barrel offering from New Riff that I picked up when we went and did the r/bourbon pick. This has a mashbill of 95% rye and 5% malted rye. It was aged for at least four years and was bottled at cask strength with no chill filtering. Im a big fan of ryes, so lets see how this craft distillery holds up in producing a rye.

ABV: 55.3%

Nose: Strong Rye Spice, Black Pepper, Allspice, Vanilla frosting, wood spice.

Palate: Medium oily mouthfeel, Rye Spice, Black Pepper, slight green apple, Wood Spice, Allspice, tannins.

Finish: Medium Length, Black Pepper, Slight Green Apple, slight tannins, Oak.

Rating: 7/10

All things considered, this is a pretty good offering. For a 4 year rye I am generally pretty impressed. It has the basic and beginning of a great future product. As is, and perhaps it is this barrel, the slighty tannic youth notes show up in it but even with them it is bursting with rye flavor and is something I would grab another bottle or 2 of, and really want more when its 6-8 years old.

1 | Disgusting | So bad I poured it out.

2 | Poor | I wouldn’t consume by choice.

3 | Bad | Multiple flaws.

4 | Sub-par | Not bad, but better exists.

5 | Good | Good, just fine.

6 | Very Good | A cut above.

7 | Great | Well above average

8 | Excellent | Really quite exceptional.

9 | Incredible | An all time favorite

10 | Perfect | Perfect