Founded in 2014, New Riff Distilling has swiftly emerged as one of America’s most respected craft distilleries, located in Newport, Kentucky—on the northern edge of the iconic Kentucky Bourbon Trail. With an unwavering commitment to quality, transparency, and innovation, New Riff champions the resurgence of authentic, high-quality American whiskey traditions while forging a bold new path in distilling.
Core Business and Product Portfolio
New Riff is a vertically integrated distillery, handling all aspects of whiskey production in-house—from grain sourcing to barrel aging and bottling. The company focuses on producing bottled-in-bond, non-chill-filtered spirits that highlight traditional techniques paired with contemporary innovation.
Their portfolio includes:
- Bourbon
- Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey (Bottled in Bond)
- Single Barrel Bourbon Whiskey
- 8-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
- Rye Whiskey
- Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey
- Single Barrel Rye Whiskey
- 8-Year-Old Rye Whiskey
- Balboa Rye Whiskey
- 100% Malted Rye Whiskey
- Single Malt Whiskey
- 2024 Sour Mash Single Malt (launched in 2024)
- 2025 Single Malt Whiskey (anticipated release)
- Gin
- Kentucky Wild Gin
- Bourbon Barreled Kentucky Wild Gin
All flagship whiskeys are made using a traditional sour mash process, aged at least four years, and adhere to bottled-in-bond standards—an assurance of provenance and authenticity.
Innovation and Distillation Approach
New Riff’s production process is rooted in craft methodology and scientific precision. Key attributes include:
- All-Local Sourcing: 100% of their grains are sourced from a single family-owned farm in Indiana.
- Sour Mash and Bottled-in-Bond Standards: Every whiskey is aged a minimum of four years, distilled during a single season, and bottled at 100 proof.
- Unfiltered Integrity: No chill-filtration is used, preserving all flavor compounds.
- Copper Column Still and Pot Still Operations: On-site copper equipment designed to enhance spirit purity and complexity.
New Riff also operates an on-site bottling line, a 9000-square-foot event space, and a modern visitors’ center, which hosts over 25,000 guests annually.
Financial and Commercial Growth
Despite being a relatively young company, New Riff has demonstrated exceptional growth:
- Estimated annual revenue exceeds $12 million (based on volume and average retail price of flagship products).
- New Riff products are distributed in over 30 U.S. states, with expanding international sales in Germany, the UK, and Australia.
- Flagship products consistently rank among the top-selling craft bourbons and ryes in independent retail stores, according to Nielsen and IWSR tracking reports.
The distillery's private barrel selection program—allowing retailers and whiskey clubs to select custom barrels—has sold over 700 private barrels since 2016.
Awards and Recognition
New Riff’s expressions have earned top-tier accolades in global spirits competitions:
- Double Gold Medal – San Francisco World Spirits Competition (2020, 2021, 2023)
- Best Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon – Breaking Bourbon Awards 2022
- Top 10 Craft Distilleries in the U.S. – Whisky Advocate, 2021
- 95+ Ratings – WhiskyCast, Whiskey Wash, Distiller.com
The 100% Malted Rye Whiskey has been lauded for redefining rye character with deep malted complexity and was named a “Category Disruptor” by Fred Minnick in 2023.
Trade, Distribution, and Export Insights
Based on public trade data and supplier insights:
- Over 3000 barrels are currently aging in New Riff’s rickhouses.
- Shipment volumes exceed 200,000 cases annually, with year-over-year growth of more than 18% (2022–2024).
- Key distribution partnerships include RNDC, Breakthru Beverage, and Total Wine & More, as well as e-commerce platforms like Seelbach’s and Caskers.
Compliance and Quality Certifications
New Riff operates under strict regulatory and quality compliance:
- Registered and monitored by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB)
- Compliant with FDA food safety standards
- Bottled-in-Bond certification ensuring:
- Single distillery and single distilling season
- 100-proof minimum bottling
- Aged in federally bonded warehouses
- Environmentally conscious waste processing and water management practices in place
Community and Sustainability Commitment
New Riff maintains deep roots in its Northern Kentucky community:
- A Living Wage Employer, offering full healthcare and benefits to all employees
- Operates green building infrastructure with energy-efficient lighting and water recirculation
- Sponsors local events including Bourbon and Beyond, Kentucky Bourbon Festival, and educational partnerships with University of Kentucky Distillation Sciences Program
Customer Loyalty and Experiences
Customer engagement is a cornerstone of New Riff’s growth strategy. Programs include:
- Bourbon Education Classes and Guided Tastings
- Barrel Proof Tours and Custom Blending Experiences
- New Riff Whiskey Club, a direct-to-consumer platform with early access to releases
- Thousands of 5-star reviews across Google, Yelp, and Distillery Trail praising the “depth, consistency, and innovation” in every bottle
New Riff continues to push boundaries with its dedication to old-school technique and new-school creativity—earning its place as a standard-bearer for the next generation of American distilling.
