New Riff Distilling in Newport, Kentucky, announces the release of its fourth installment of its acclaimed Single Malt whiskey, a 2026 expression featuring some of the distillery’s oldest malt whiskeys to date highlighting time-honored heritage of malted barley with Kentucky’s sour mash traditions.
New Riff stands among the first — and still one of the few — pioneering distilleries, bringing this emerging whiskey category to market. The Newport distillery started distilling batches of malt whiskey shortly after its founding in 2014 and released the initial batch in 2023.
‘One of the Most Creative Whiskeys We Make’
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“This is one of the most creative whiskeys we make, and a blend we look forward to revisiting every year,” said Master Distiller Brian Sprance. “These whiskeys are inspired by malted barleys used in the brewing industry, reimagined through our Kentucky regimen.”
The earliest distillations of the internal project started in the first few months of the distillery’s existence. Over the years, New Riff has explored additional mash bills and barrels, filling barrels at 110 proof and letting them age quietly in Northern Kentucky.
2026 Release Made from 6 Mash Bills, 5 Cask Types, and Aged at Least 7 Years
New Riff’s 2026 Single Malt Whiskey is comprised of six mash bills aged in five different cask types, marking this expression as one of the distillery’s most intricate blends to date.
This year’s blend introduces Chevallier, an 1800s heirloom British malt variety, making its debut in New Riff’s Single Malt distillate for the first time. Distilled using the unmistakable Kentucky regimen — sour mash, open fermentation, and a column still — this whiskey bridges the time-honored heritage of malted barley with Kentucky tradition, resulting in one of New Riff’s most complex and rewarding whiskeys made yet and showcasing the creativity and technical expertise of its distilling team, while continuing its more than a decade’s long commitment to delivering “A New Riff on an Old Tradition.”
New Riff’s 2026 100% Malted Barley Single Malt Whiskey Mash Bill
Bottled without chill filtration at 111.7 proof with a mashbill of 100% malted barley which includes the following grains.
- 11.7% Marris Otter – A classic English ale malt.
- 14.1% Golden Promise – A legendary 1960s vintage British malt.
- 27.7% Barleywine-Style – A barleywine-inspired mashbill built from two-row. malted barley, toasted crystal malts, and a touch of roasted chocolate malt.
- 16.5% Belgian Quadrupel – A Belgian Quadrupel inspired mashbill featuring Special B and CaraBelge malts.
- 18% Scottish Peated Malted Barley – A peated malt whiskey made with Scottish peated barley.
- 12% Chevallier – 1800s British heirloom barley variety.
Chevallier, the historic British heirloom barley popularized by the 19th century brewing scene now making its first appearance in a New Riff whiskey.
“This year, we were especially excited to introduce Chevallier malt into the blend, a variety that brings a distinct character and adds another layer to the overall profile,” said Sprance.
“We’ve spent years working with a wide range of malts, and that experience is really shown through how this whiskey comes together. Each component can stand on its own, but the real magic is in how they interact, showcasing our expertise in blending and bringing all of those elements into balance.”
New Riff’s 2026 100% Malted Barley Single Malt Whiskey Variety of Casks
The five casks the malt whiskeys matured in include:
- New charred oak
- De-charred toasted oak
- Used bourbon barrels
- Spanish oloroso sherry casks
- Pedro Ximenez Sherry casks
Tasting Notes, Proof, and Age Statement
Nose – Broad, deep and heady, with many barrel notes (oaky, sherried oak, toasty); with time, it develops rich malty fruity grains; a splash of water advances complicated grainy detail, showing grassy-mineral malt, dark fruit, cacao nibs, orange-lemon citrus, all balanced with a generous layer of smoke.
Palate – Straight-up, the oak is forward and layered (Oloroso sherry, Pedro Jimenez, new oak), chewy texture, and drying but not tannic; with water, a strikingly juicy entry, bright fruit and citrus peel w/ chocolate covered cherries; it is dryish and tinged with sweetening fruits; a BIG Kentucky-style body, savory-soft thick-cut texture with red and dark fruit, cocoa powder, grassy-nutty malt, strawberry-mango fruit leather, a shading of sherry oak and an introduction of warm smoke.
Finish – Exceptionally zesty, delightfully rich, the fruited (raspberry, tangerine rind, bergamot-orange) components lift up in a smokey and leathery cloud, framed with the sherry-branded oak, late orange marmalade and a lingering peat smoke.
Proof – 111.7°
Age – At least 7 years old
New Riff’s 2026 Single Malt Whiskey has a suggested retail price of $69.99 and will be available nationwide at select retailers, online for shipping and pickup, and at the distillery gift shop beginning Friday, May 15.
Fiercely independent and unabashedly innovative: New Riff Distilling starts with time-honored sour mash methods and bottled-in-bond standards, creating new riffs on old traditions since 2014. Located in Northern Kentucky and — the gateway to bourbon country — the independently-owned distillery produces award-winning bourbon, rye, single malt whiskey and gin, including its acclaimed flagship Bottled-in-Bond Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey which was named the World’s Best Bourbon at the 2026 World Whiskies Awards. Bourbon and rye are also available in single barrel selections, and the distillery boasts a popular private barrel selection program offering quarter, half and full barrel picks complete with personalized labels. New Riff sources its water from an alluvial aquifer under the distillery, accessed via a 100’ deep private well and providing cold, clean and mineral-rich water perfect for whiskey making.
Learn more about New Riff Distilling.
Learn more about The B-Line.
Learn more about the Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour.
View all Kentucky Distilleries.
What is American Single Malt Whiskey?
In December 2024, the TTB made its final ruling on What is American Single Malt Whiskey. You can read the full story here — TTB Issues Final Ruling on American Single Malt Whiskey
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