New Riff Distilling Sour Mash Single Malt Kentucky Whiskey

Appearance: Medium amber with shimmering copper highlights, inviting the eye with its warm glow.

Nose: The aroma is broad, deep, and heady, filled with numerous barrel notes, including oaky, sherried oak, and toasty nuances. With time and a splash of water, it reveals a wealth of complex grainy details, showcasing grassy-mineral malt, dark fruit cacao nibs, and a bright citrus blend of orange and lemon, rounded out by a wisp of smoke and ozone.

Taste: On the palate, the oak is prominent and layered, showcasing notes of oloroso sherry, red wine, and new oak. The texture is chewy and slightly drying but not tannic. Adding water transforms the experience, resulting in a strikingly juicy entry with bright fruit and citrus peel. The body is big and Kentucky-style, with a savory, soft texture and layers of red and dark fruit, cocoa powder, grassy-nutty malt, hints of sherry oak, and a subtle suggestion of smoke.

Finish: The finish is exceptionally zesty and delicate, with fruity components of raspberry, tangerine rind, and bergamot-orange. These flavors are elevated by a whiskey-ozone airiness and framed with sherry-branded oak, culminating in notes of late lemon curd and a vanishing air-kiss of peat smoke.