New Riff Distilling

WINERY SUMMARY

New Riff Distilling sits on Columbia Street in Newport, Kentucky, where the lift of Ohio River humidity and the mineral signature of the Ohio River Alluvial Aquifer feed a distinct spirit profile. From the first step across the threshold you encounter a production-first ethos: precise distillation on a modified three-story copper column still, malt-forward runs on a copper pot still, and a barrel program that emphasizes new American white oak and selective finishing. New Riff Distilling positions itself as a modern voice in Kentucky whiskey, and visitors on a Northern Kentucky distillery tour will immediately sense the rigorous, craft-directed approach that shapes every expression.

Founders Ken Lewis and Jay Erisman launched New Riff Distilling in 2014 with decades of beverage experience and a purpose: to make high-rye bourbons and inventive rye and malt whiskeys that balance regional tradition with technical control. Ken Lewis’s retail and distribution background helped the brand mature quickly while the distillery aged its own stocks. That strategy included releasing sourced whiskey under the O.K.I. label early on, a transparent move that allowed New Riff to establish presence while their rickhouse-aged spirits matured. The production team intentionally follows Bottled‑in‑Bond standards for core releases, aging certain bourbons a minimum of four years, and the brand’s Bottled‑in‑Bond Bourbon earned a Double Gold at the 2019 San Francisco World Spirits Competition—hard evidence of their quality-first trajectory.

The product journey at New Riff Distilling moves from mash bill to barrel with visible, technical choices. High‑rye bourbon is the cornerstone: full-bodied, savory, and pepper-laced, the New Riff Bottled‑in‑Bond Bourbon leans on a spicy rye percentage, slow aging in new oak, and non–chill filtration to retain texture and oils. Single Barrel Rye selections highlight bold, spicy grain character and the range achieved by selective barrel picks. The Backsetter Peated Backset Rye is an experimental study in reclaimed distillation residues—peat influence folded into rye backset for a smoky, savory profile uncommon in Kentucky. Malt-forward releases such as the 6 Year Sherry Cask Finished Malted Rye show the team’s willingness to finish in Oloroso-style casks to extract nutty dried-fruit complexity; that expression demonstrates malt influence, oxidative depth and six years of patient maturation. Limited releases and small-batch allocations appear periodically, and the distillery’s portfolio includes seasonal cask finishes and single-barrel allocations aimed at collectors and cocktail professionals.

The still house and barrel program are the working heart of the visitor experience. New Riff Distilling’s production floor puts the modified column still and pot still in plain view for many tours, and guests on scheduled visits can see mash preparation, spirit cuts and barrel staging in progress. The barrel house and rickhouse manage a variety of aging trajectories, from Bottled‑in‑Bond lots to sherry-cask finished malts; these spaces create warm cedar and charred oak aromas that carry into the tasting room. The tasting area emphasizes craft education—flights that contrast high-rye and peated backset expressions, guided pours explaining mash bills and finishing, and staff-led discussions about the distillation choices that drive flavor. While detailed tasting-room capacity and fixed schedules vary, the distillery’s urban location makes it an easy addition to a broader Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour or a daytrip from Cincinnati.

Plan visits for late spring through early fall when regional travel peaks and special releases are more likely to be on hand; many guests find weekday morning tours offer the most hands-on production viewing. Reservation requirements are common: tours and tastings are often appointment-based or limited in capacity, so book ahead to secure barrel tastings, single-barrel flights or allocated-release opportunities. Check New Riff Distilling’s official website for the latest availability and ticketing options before travel.

For enthusiasts seeking modern expressions of Kentucky heritage, New Riff Distilling offers both technical rigor and sensory reward. Sample the Bottled‑in‑Bond Bourbon that won a Double Gold, explore rye that experiments with peat-inflected backset, and pursue limited sherry-cask malt releases. New Riff Distilling invites collectors and curious travelers alike to taste its evolving story and to reserve a tasting or tour to experience the production choices that define its spirits.