BOTTLE DETAILS

• DISTILLER: New Riff Distilling
• MASH BILL: 65% corn | 20% malted oats | 7% pale ale malt | 5% steel cut raw oats | 3% chocolate malt
• AGE: At least 4 years old
• YEAR: 2024
• PROOF: 100
• MSRP: $55
• BUY ONLINE: Sold out. (Maybe next year!)

DREW’S NOTES

SHARE WITH: Dark beer fans. Those who appreciate a unique American whiskey. Anyone who hasn’t had a chance yet to experience some of New Riff’s more experimental releases.

WORTH THE PRICE: Yes. When it comes to whiskey pricing, New Riff has been at the forefront of affordability. I think $70 may be the highest MSRP in the whole portfolio. 55 bucks is a more than reasonable asking price for a limited edition whiskey this unique and well-made.

BOTTLE, BAR OR BUST: Bottle. In addition to being a solid value, Winter Whiskey is one of those bourbons you’ll want to share with friends and keep in the bar for those occasions when your palate craves something really good but also something different.

OVERALL: First, the bad news. If you’re just finding out about it now, you may have already missed the second release of New Riff’s Winter Whiskey. I’m not even sure how much they’re making of the stuff, but I know it’s not enough. But now the good news. The relaunch late last year, exactly four years after it first made a limited appearance in 2020, suggests we might see another release next holiday season. And Santa can’t come soon enough with this one.

Winter Whiskey is one of my favorite whiskey “riffs” from a distillery that admittedly has done a lot of impressive experimenting. It’s a beer-lovers whiskey, inspired by the brewing background of master distiller Brian Sprance who incorporated pale ale malt and chocolate malt in addition to malted oats to create a bourbon tailor-made for sweater weather.

On the nose, Winter Whiskey is warm and soothing with top notes of fresh brewed coffee, baking cocoa, and dark maple syrup. An undertone of just-out-of-the-oven oatmeal cookies gives the aroma a decidedly earthy foundation but with time to open, accents of candied cherry and chocolate mint add brightness and a modest sweetness. The palate is all fudge and coffee grounds, round and well-spiced with notes of white pepper and Mexican hot chocolate. For all the dessert-inspired elements at play here, this isn’t a sugary whiskey. From sip to swallow, it remains pleasantly dry and light on the tongue with a silky finish of cocoa powder and molasses cookies.

BRAND NOTES

“Winter Whiskey offers a classic bourbon foundation of clean, sweet corn, enhanced with layers of malty, nutty and dark chocolate flavors,” said Master Distiller Brian Sprance. “Inspired by years of brewing expertise, Winter Whiskey reimagines the essence of a classic oatmeal stout, creating a non-traditional, one-of-a-kind bourbon.” 

“Winter Whiskey tastes like a conversation between the dry cocoa quality of the chocolate malt, a balanced amount of oak and a unique spicy quality distinct from that of rye. The finish dances away on the oaty spice, with hints of Belgian cocoa. Despite the suggestion of chocolate in the grains — and in the name — Winter Whiskey never turns sweet or cloying, tending to delicate dryness.”

“Winter Whiskey captures the comforting, familiar flavors of the season while staying true to our commitment to making distinctive, high-quality spirits,” Sprance said.

Disclaimer: Bourbon & Banter received a sample of this product from the brand for review. We appreciate their willingness to allow us to review their products with no strings attached. Thank you.