New Riff Releases 2025 American Single Malt Whiskey
New Riff Distilling has officially released its 2025 American Single Malt Whiskey, available from 2 May 2025, marking a major milestone in the brand’s exploration of grain-forward innovation. This release is part of New Riff’s commitment to shaping the future of American whiskey while honoring the time-tested traditions of malt distillation.
Get your weekly whisky roundup featuring current events and industry insights—sign up for our free whisky newsletter.
Key Takeaways
New Riff American Single Malt (2025) was released on 2 May 2025.
A blend of three mashbills, aged in seven barrel types, re-barreled for extended aging.
Bottled at 115.2 proof, unfiltered, cask strength.
Malt blend includes Maris Otter, Barleywine-style, and Scottish Peated malt.
Stands out for complexity, cask layering, and aged depth.
What’s in the Bottle
New Riff’s 2025 Single Malt is a complex blend of three unique mashbills finished across six different cask types, with the final blend re-barreled into used oak for extended maturation. Showcasing some of New Riff’s oldest malt whiskey stocks aged between 7 to 10 years, this expression represents a bold step forward in their malt portfolio. Bottled at 115.2 proof, unfiltered and at cask strength, it delivers uncompromising flavor.
Mash Bill: 41% Maris Otter malt, 41% Barleywine-style malt, 18% Scottish Peated Malted Barley
Aging: Minimum 7 years; some barrels aged up to 10 years
Barrels: New charred oak, used bourbon, de-charred/toasted, de-charred/re-charred, Madeira, Oloroso Sherry, and French oak red wine casks (Taransaud cooperage)
Proof: 115.2 (57.6% ABV)
Price: $69.99
Availability: Select U.S. markets beginning 2 May 2025
Nose: Broad and layered with oaky, sherried oak, and toasty notes; rich malty grains, dark fruit, cacao nibs, citrus, and a balance of smoke
Palate: Chewy and oak-forward with red wine, Madeira, and sherry cask influence; juicy fruit, citrus peel, cocoa powder, grassy-nutty malt, and soft smoke
Finish: Zesty and rich with raspberry, tangerine rind, bergamot-orange, sherry oak, marmalade, and lingering peat smoke
A Leader in the American Single Malt Movement
As American Single Malt continues to grow as a category, New Riff’s latest release places it firmly among the most ambitious U.S. distillers. The innovative use of multiple mashbills and cask finishes, combined with Kentucky's sour mash traditions, results in a single malt that is both distinctive and deeply expressive.
New Riff also remains a vocal supporter of the American Single Malt Commission, helping to shape clear standards and transparency for this emerging category.
Comparisons to Other American Single Malts
New Riff’s 2025 expression enters an increasingly competitive field of U.S. single malts, standing alongside:
Stranahan’s Diamond Peak (Colorado): A higher-proof malt aged in new oak with sweet and smoky character.
Balcones Texas Single Malt (Texas): Big, fruity, and bold with Southern heat and experimental casking.
Virginia Distillery Co. Courage & Conviction (Virginia): Elegant and refined, aged in a trio of cask types.
New Riff stands apart for its diverse malt recipe, long aging, and layered cask maturation, offering depth few American malts can rival.
What’s Next for New Riff
With its growing reputation for rye, bourbon, and now single malt whiskey, New Riff is cementing its role as a forward-thinking craft distillery. The success of the 2025 release suggests more innovation ahead—potentially in the form of single malt variants, finishes, or small-batch selections.
To receive your weekly whisky industry news roundup, sign up for our free whisky newsletter.
Share on social media
