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New Riff Headliner 2026 Punk Rock Edition
118.8 proof
10+ years (50/50 bourbon-rye blend)
American Whiskey
New Riff Distilling
Newport, KY
$150
50% 11-year-old malted rye bourbon (65% corn, 30% malted rye, 5% malted barley), 25% 11-year-old straight rye (95.5% rye, 5% malted rye), 25% 10-year-old Balboa rye (95% Balboa rye, 5% malted rye)
Nose
Compact black pepper and clove notes with dark fruit undertones. Baking spice cabinet character. Bourbon undertones present but rye dominates the aromatic profile.
Palate
Warm, silky, and viscous on entry with immediate palate excitement. Rye spice, citrus, grassiness, and dark cherry notes. Dry and earthy with significant oak influence. Sides of palate drip noticeably from the spirit's intensity.
Finish
Pleasurable but briefer than expected given the lush and viscous palate texture. Leaves a warming sensation rather than extended flavor persistence.
Respectable
An impressive rye-heavy blend with exceptional entry and mid-palate complexity, though the finish disappoints by fading faster than the silky palate suggests it should.
Harsh
Forgettable
Satisfying
Impressive
Undrinkable
Substandard
Average
Noteworthy
Perfection
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