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New Riff Winter Whiskey is a Bottled‑in‑Bond Kentucky bourbon made with malted and raw oats plus chocolate malt, delivering dry cocoa spice, balanced oak, and a distinctly winter‑ready profile at 100 proof. |
New Riff Winter Whiskey is a seasonal Bottled‑in‑Bond bourbon designed to showcase oats and chocolate malt in a way rarely seen in Kentucky whiskey.
Inspired by chocolate oatmeal stouts from the distilling team’s brewing backgrounds, Winter Whiskey blends traditional bourbon structure with specialty grains to create a dry, spice‑forward, cocoa‑driven profile that feels purpose‑built for colder months. Despite its name and grain bill, it avoids sweetness overload, finishing clean and dry rather than dessert‑like.
Image Source: New Riff Distillery
Winter Whiskey is built on New Riff’s uncompromising Bottled‑in‑Bond process and an experimental grain bill that pushes bourbon into new territory.
The inclusion of malted oats, raw steel‑cut oats, and chocolate malt adds layers of spice and dry cocoa character without masking the core bourbon profile. Bottled at 100 proof, aged a minimum of four years, and never chill filtered, the whiskey retains texture, grain complexity, and depth that would otherwise be lost.
New Riff Winter Whiskey Mashbill:
65% Corn
20% Malted Oats
7% Pale Ale Malt
5% Steel‑Cut Raw Oats
3% Chocolate Malt
Winter Whiskey is dry, layered, and spice‑forward, with cocoa notes that complement rather than dominate the palate.
Nose: Forward oak, dark cocoa, and a unique grain‑driven spice; water reveals additional dry cocoa complexity.
Palate: Delicate sweetness at the core with dry cocoa, balanced oak, and an unusual oat‑driven spice reminiscent of buckwheat or blueberry skin.
Finish: Oaty spice dusted with Belgian cocoa, clean and lightly drying.
New Riff Distilling is an independently owned Kentucky distillery committed exclusively to Bottled‑in‑Bond, non‑chill‑filtered whiskey.
Founded in 2014 by Ken Lewis, New Riff set itself apart by holding every whiskey to the Bottled‑in‑Bond standard—a rarity in modern bourbon. Drawing inspiration from classic Kentucky sour mash traditions while applying them to new styles and recipes, New Riff has built a reputation for transparency, quality, and experimentation done the right way.
This release stands out for using oats and chocolate malt in a Bottled‑in‑Bond bourbon without turning sweet or gimmicky.
Unlike flavored or dessert‑leaning “chocolate” whiskeys, Winter Whiskey keeps dryness and balance front and center. The oats contribute texture and spice rather than softness alone, while the chocolate malt delivers roasted cocoa notes that remain restrained and structural. It’s an example of innovation that respects bourbon tradition rather than replacing it.
If you enjoy high‑proof bourbon with dry spice, cocoa notes, and seasonal character, this bottle is worth tracking down.
At $59.99 and already sold out online, Winter Whiskey appeals to drinkers looking for something different without sacrificing structure or integrity. It’s not a novelty pour, it’s a cold‑weather bourbon that rewards slow sipping and repeat tastings.
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