New Riff Sour Mash Single Malt
113.8 proof
7–9 years
Single Malt
New Riff Distillery
$70
100% malted barley (Maris Otter, Golden Promise, barley wine style, Belgian quadruple, Scottish peated—~10% peated)
Nose
Deep amber color. Complex and evolving with sweet feed molasses, green banana, birthday cake vanilla, honey, almond, and occasional jalapeno. Rich and layered with persistent barrel influence.
Palate
Dark, warming, and concentrated. Prune and raisin from port/sherry influence, leather, tobacco, and nutty notes emerge over time. Full, syrupy mouthfeel with good weight.
Finish
Long and satisfying with dried fruit, leather, and tobacco persistence. Pairs beautifully with cigars.
Top notch
A richly complex single malt with an ever-changing nose and deep, warming palate featuring layers of dried fruit, leather, and tobacco—ambitious in conception and rewarding in execution, though the multiple barrel types create some palatal competition.
Harsh
Forgettable
Satisfying
Impressive
Undrinkable
Substandard
Average
Noteworthy
Perfection
Play the excerpt from this tasting