New Riff Distilling Blends Biscuit Malt With Rye for Toasty Seasonal Whiskey

(Photo: New Riff)

On Tuesday, Kentucky-based New Riff Distilling unveiled its latest limited offering, which features a healthy splash of biscuit malt from renowned German malthouse Weyermann.

Far from a crushed-up cracker, biscuit malt is produced by dry roasting barley for a nutty, aromatic flavor not unlike something fresh out of the oven. The technique is commonly used in the making of brown ales, a fact that New Riff is surely aware of given that master distiller Brian Sprance used to work for Samuel Adams.

The brand’s new Biscuit Malt Rye Whiskey falls under its High Note lineup and is made with a mashbill of 51% rye, 26% corn and 23% Weyermann Abbey Malt. Produced without chill-filtration and bottled at 109.4 proof, the expression is said to boast flavors of honey, nuts, chocolate and — unsurprisingly —  biscuits.

“Abbey Malt is also featured in one of our Single Malt Whiskey recipes that is a component of our yearly release of Sour Mash Single Malt Whiskey, and we loved its contribution to it, so we really thought it could create a very unique and new riff on Rye Whiskey,” New Riff Master Distiller Brian Sprance remarked in a news release. “This continued exploration of flavors landed us at this exceptionally quality whiskey from working with an excellent company.”

New Riff last joined forces with Weyermann in 2016 to get the ball rolling on what would eventually become its 100% Malted Rye Whiskey, an expression that we fell head over heels in love with at first sip. Loaded with gobs of toffee, nougat, honey, clove and baking spice, the bottling set a high bar for future rye-centric offerings from the brand, garnering an impressive Raided Score® of 90 based on critic scores. Biscuit Malt Rye Whiskey clocks in a few dollars lower than that bottling at a suggested retail price of $49.99.

New Riff was brought to market in 2014 by former English teacher Ken Lewis, who moved on from the brand last year to be replaced by current CEO Hannah Lowen. The distillery’s focus on inventive bourbon and rye releases has cemented it as a fan-favorite in the crowded Kentucky whiskey market. In addition to the above-mentioned 6-year Malted Rye, we have to shout out its stellar Wild Bourbon Barreled Gin, which is loaded with coriander, white pepper and just the right touch of cedar.

For more information on New Riff’s latest release, find its website here.