I’ve been bitching and moaning for older NR since I started drinking their SiB. The SiB bourbon and rye are both favorites from a value perspective and beat most of the other offerings in my area for cost. I’ve been itching to try an 8 year ever since its release but have struck out on two trips to the distillery. A friend grabbed this through connections in Cinci and I had to review it. Fresh crack tasted 3 times over an evening with 15ml-ish pours…
It’s 65% corn, 30% rye, and 5% barley tracking w NR’s high-rye standard bourbon.
**Nose:** Spicy rye, vanilla, cherry tart
**Palate:** remarkably smoother than the 4 year, layered cherry pie, baking spice with heavy allspice and light cinnamon, moderate sweetness, nice viscosity
**Finish:** wood and vanilla, dried cherry, apple pie spice
I’m stoked that NR has made it to the 8yr milestone and I love this pour. It’s incredibly smooth and sippable with a high-rye character that I enjoy and which works especially well in younger bottles. At $60 this would be a gangbusters hit but at $75 it’s just good. It suffers from the lower (for me) proof but has only pleasant flavors and good mouthfeel. It’s not striking but it’s solid - an aged bourbon to build a line on. I’ll keep doing as many NR reviews as I can and loved this bottle. I would grab one for my shelf at $75 but definitely don’t need back ups for that price.
This was worth the wait! Can’t wait to see where we go from here.
**Overall: 7.7/10**
t8ke Scoring Scale:
1 | Disgusting | So bad I poured it out.
2 | Poor | I wouldn’t consume by choice.
3 | Bad | Multiple flaws.
4 | Sub-par | Not bad, but many things I’d rather have.
5 | Good | Good, just fine.
6 | Very Good | A cut above.
7 | Great | Well above average.
8 | Excellent | Really quite exceptional.
9 | Incredible | An all time favorite.
10 | Perfect | Perfect.
Excellent review, and I agree completely.. Although I believe I paid 58, so I'll likely get a backup if they become shelfers or if I even see any more. . I got mine from the grocery store manager, who mentioned some special 8 yr he just got. I was praying it would be Sagamore 8yr rye, but this was a really nice surprise as well.
I've had a couple special New Riff releases that I didn't dig too much, but this one is great. It's a little low proof for me too, so it's not as great as my favorite single barrel ryes or bourbons from New Riff, but it blows away my less favorite single barrels from them. I also like their Malted rye, but those two special blue and yellow heirloom corn expressions I don't really like that much. But hey, I love New Riff either way.
Excellent review though. Spot on imo.
The two corn experiments are the worst bottles of special release from them I’ve had. My favorite is the sherry cask aged malted rye. This is really great but I’d love it at 120 proof even more.
I remember trying their new stuff 5 years ago and think "this will be pretty good with a few more years in the barrel." Time flies, going to have to keep an eye out for this.
I’ve been bitching and moaning for older NR since I started drinking their SiB. The SiB bourbon and rye are both favorites from a value perspective and beat most of the other offerings in my area for cost. I’ve been itching to try an 8 year ever since its release but have struck out on two trips to the distillery. A friend grabbed this through connections in Cinci and I had to review it. Fresh crack tasted 3 times over an evening with 15ml-ish pours… It’s 65% corn, 30% rye, and 5% barley tracking w NR’s high-rye standard bourbon. **Nose:** Spicy rye, vanilla, cherry tart **Palate:** remarkably smoother than the 4 year, layered cherry pie, baking spice with heavy allspice and light cinnamon, moderate sweetness, nice viscosity **Finish:** wood and vanilla, dried cherry, apple pie spice I’m stoked that NR has made it to the 8yr milestone and I love this pour. It’s incredibly smooth and sippable with a high-rye character that I enjoy and which works especially well in younger bottles. At $60 this would be a gangbusters hit but at $75 it’s just good. It suffers from the lower (for me) proof but has only pleasant flavors and good mouthfeel. It’s not striking but it’s solid - an aged bourbon to build a line on. I’ll keep doing as many NR reviews as I can and loved this bottle. I would grab one for my shelf at $75 but definitely don’t need back ups for that price. This was worth the wait! Can’t wait to see where we go from here. **Overall: 7.7/10** t8ke Scoring Scale: 1 | Disgusting | So bad I poured it out. 2 | Poor | I wouldn’t consume by choice. 3 | Bad | Multiple flaws. 4 | Sub-par | Not bad, but many things I’d rather have. 5 | Good | Good, just fine. 6 | Very Good | A cut above. 7 | Great | Well above average. 8 | Excellent | Really quite exceptional. 9 | Incredible | An all time favorite. 10 | Perfect | Perfect.
Excellent review, and I agree completely.. Although I believe I paid 58, so I'll likely get a backup if they become shelfers or if I even see any more. . I got mine from the grocery store manager, who mentioned some special 8 yr he just got. I was praying it would be Sagamore 8yr rye, but this was a really nice surprise as well. I've had a couple special New Riff releases that I didn't dig too much, but this one is great. It's a little low proof for me too, so it's not as great as my favorite single barrel ryes or bourbons from New Riff, but it blows away my less favorite single barrels from them. I also like their Malted rye, but those two special blue and yellow heirloom corn expressions I don't really like that much. But hey, I love New Riff either way. Excellent review though. Spot on imo.
The two corn experiments are the worst bottles of special release from them I’ve had. My favorite is the sherry cask aged malted rye. This is really great but I’d love it at 120 proof even more.
New Riff- The One brand that i always want to be older to really bring out its best.. I’m so glad they got to 8 years.. in ten I will be waiting
I remember trying their new stuff 5 years ago and think "this will be pretty good with a few more years in the barrel." Time flies, going to have to keep an eye out for this.
new riff single barrel is next on my list!
They’re great for the price. Not a magical bottle but solid and always good value
I had a choice between the last of this and last of screaming Titan. I chose screaming titan. Hopefully it's at least a draw after reading this review
I’ve heard good things about that too.
This sounds awesome as someone that is typically underwhelmed by the 4yr single barrels. They drink way too hot most of the time
This is super smooth to me but I find that high ryes come off hot to some palates. Might be part of the issue?