New Riff
New Riff Distilling is a craft distillery based in Newport, Kentucky, just across the Ohio River from Cincinnati. Founded by Ken Lewis, the distillery began operations in 2014 and released its first bottled-in-bond bourbon in 2018, after allowing its whiskey to mature to the legally required minimum.
New Riff has built a reputation for its commitment to the bottled-in-bond standard and its use of non-chill-filtered whiskey. The brand's core range includes both a bourbon and a rye, with additional releases and single barrels expanding its lineup over time.
New Riff Distilling is a craft distillery based in Newport, Kentucky, just across the Ohio River from Cincinnati.
Read more about New Riff
New Riff Distilling is a craft distillery based in Newport, Kentucky, just across the Ohio River from Cincinnati. Founded by Ken Lewis, the distillery began operations in 2014 and released its first bottled-in-bond bourbon in 2018, after allowing its whiskey to mature to the legally required minimum.
New Riff has built a reputation for its commitment to the bottled-in-bond standard and its use of non-chill-filtered whiskey. The brand's core range includes both a bourbon and a rye, with additional releases and single barrels expanding its lineup over time.
History and Founding
New Riff Distilling was established by Ken Lewis, who previously operated a well-known liquor retail business in the Cincinnati area before turning to distilling. Construction of the distillery in Newport, Kentucky, positioned the brand within the greater Kentucky bourbon landscape while giving it a distinct identity across the river from Cincinnati.
The distillery began distilling in 2014. Because its flagship whiskeys are made to the bottled-in-bond standard, which requires a minimum of four years of aging, New Riff's first widely released bottled-in-bond expressions arrived in 2018. This deliberate, patient approach reflected the brand's focus on quality and transparency from the outset.
House Style and Production
A defining feature of New Riff is its emphasis on bottled-in-bond whiskey, meaning the spirit is the product of one distilling season, from one distillery, aged at least four years in a federally bonded warehouse, and bottled at 100 proof (50% ABV). This standard offers buyers a clear guarantee of authenticity and consistency.
New Riff bottles its whiskey without chill filtration, a practice that helps retain flavor compounds and body that can otherwise be stripped away. This choice contributes to the fuller, more textured character that many enthusiasts associate with the brand.
The distillery produces both bourbon and rye whiskey. Its high-rye bourbon and its Kentucky rye have become the backbone of the portfolio, with single barrel selections and limited or specialty releases offering additional variety for collectors and repeat buyers.
What to Expect and How to Buy
Shoppers browsing the New Riff collection can generally expect to find the flagship bottled-in-bond bourbon and rye alongside single barrel offerings when available. These whiskeys are typically bottled at 100 proof and are non-chill-filtered, delivering robust, full-flavored profiles suited to both neat sipping and cocktails.
New Riff's bourbon leans on a high-rye recipe that brings spice and structure, while its rye whiskey offers a bold, peppery character. Both are versatile enough for classic cocktails like an Old Fashioned or Manhattan, yet distinctive enough to enjoy on their own.
When purchasing, check the label for the bottled-in-bond designation and proof to confirm you are getting the standard expression. Availability of single barrels and limited releases can vary, so selection may change over time.