New Riff Straight Malted Rye Whiskey

So last week my wife left me…Shit that sounds bad. Let’s try this again.

Last week my wife took a trip to visit a long-time friend and help her out with a fan convention that her friend was putting on. I was left alone to pretend to be a bachelor. I had big plans of eating lots of junk food, watching a lot of movies, just really learning into the whole I don’t have to be a responsible adult thing.

And it turns out that I wasn’t. Responsible that is. Because I ended up mistaking just how long a container of leftovers had been in the fridge, giving myself what seems to be a mild case of food poisoning. It’s been fun. I felt like I was prepping for a colonoscopy at one point. Now I’m just hanging around feeling nauseated and trying hard not to do anything that will upset that. The upside is that I did get to watch a lot of movies once the pups I was watching went home. I just had to do it while laying down and with frequent pausing.

All of that is to say, this is to explain why there wasn’t a post on Tuesday and why this post will be mostly quoting from the website of tonight’s whiskey.

New Riff Distilling is pleased to introduce a new, regular extension to their award winning lineup: New Riff Straight Malted Rye Whiskey Bottled in Bond Without Chill Filtration. This style of whiskey is made of 100% malted rye grain, which is quite rare, even in today’s craft distilling scene. Malted rye is rye grain that has undergone the process of malting. When you malt a grain you alter and, arguably, improve and refine its flavor. That’s exactly what’s happened here, as the typically spicy flavor of rye becomes polished, refined, and subtle.

New Riff Malted Rye is elegant. Graceful. It presents plenty of spice but in a much more sophisticated fashion than our standard 95% rye. It actually makes more sense to us to think of it as a malted whiskey first, and a rye whiskey second. At a generous six years old, our New Riff Malted Rye Bottled in Bond Without Chill Filtration is the oldest New Riff whiskey yet released, and will remain at six years as something of an exclamation point atop our standard portfolio.

Now, if you’ve been around a while, you will know that I don’t usually like whiskey with malted rye in it. Much less one that is 100% malted rye. But I also have yet to find a New Riff whiskey that I didn’t like so I figured that if anyone was going to make a malted rye whiskey that I liked, it would be them. So I bought it. Let’s see how it tastes.

New Riff Kentucky Straight Malted Rye Whiskey

Purchase info: $60.99 for a 750 mL bottle at Viking Liquor Barrel, Prior Lake, MN

Price per Drink (50 mL): $4.07

Details: Bottled in Bond. 50% ABV. Six years old. Mash bill consists of 100% malted rye. Non-Chill Filtered.

Nose: Wintergreen, plum, brown sugar, and cinnamon.

Mouth: Thick and sweet with spicy cinnamon, wintergreen, and baked fruit.

Finish: Warm and of medium length. Notes of cedar, plum, and cinnamon.

Thoughts: Well, shit! This is damn good! If you'd handed it to me blind, I wouldn't have guessed that this was a rye until the finish when the cedar notes arrive. The mouth is thick, sweet, and rich, which isn't something I usually find in rye whiskey. Especially at less than barrel-proof. I guess my initial thought was correct when I speculated that New Riff would be the most likely to be able to put out a malted rye whiskey that I'd enjoy. And on top of that it makes a damn fine Old Fashioned. This one is certainly worth a look.

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Ezra Brooks 99 Proof Straight Rye Whiskey

Before we get started, I would like to thank everyone for their well-wishes while I recovered from a mental health emergency. Knowing that I wasn’t letting people down by not publishing helped me to not worry and allowed me to get back to a stable spot a little quicker.

A few months ago, I started getting comments from readers that the standard Ezra Brooks 90 proof was disappearing from shelves. The Lux Row PR guy I talked to reassured me that it hadn’t been discontinued. But then, a few months later, the shoe dropped, and it was removed from the Ezra Brooks site. I know that a lot of folks were disappointed in that, but honestly, I almost never bought the 90-proof version. Especially once the 99-proof version became readily available.

So it wasn’t a huge surprise when I saw this bottle of 99-proof Ezra Brooks rye sitting on the shelf of a local liquor store instead of the former 90-proof version. Of course I grabbed it, thinking that it might be fun to compare it to the Rebel 100 Rye that we looked at a couple of weeks ago. Especially since they are both coming from the same producer. It was the cheapest thing I bought that day.

Now you might be asking yourself: ok, so what is the difference between Ezra Brooks 99 Rye and Rebel 100 Rye? And to that, I can confirm…one proof point. Beyond that is just speculation on my part. There isn’t a lot of info out there other than the website. I’m guessing they didn't do a big rollout of this one since they just did the Rebel 100 rollout. The one thing that I would love a little clarification on is the mash bill. The website contradicts itself. It says that the mash bill is 51% rye, 45% corn, and 4% malted barley. It also says that the ingredients are rye and barley. No corn was mentioned. Since this comes from their corporate cousins at MGP, I’m not sure which is the typo, as MGP makes both kinds of rye. So, for the time being, let’s just look at the juice in the jug, and I’ll update the post if I hear back from the PR folks. I had a huge email outage over the last few days, so who knows what got lost.

(UPDATE 05/15/23: I just got the press release for Ezra Brooks 99 Rye and the juice is the 51% rye mashbill. Their website has also been updated.)

Ezra Brooks 99 Straight Rye Whiskey

Purchase Info: $26.99 for a 750 mL bottle at South Lyndale Liquors, Minneapolis, MN

Price per Drink (50 ml): $1.80

Details: 2 years old. 49.5% ABV. Distilled in Indiana.

Nose: Mint, cedar, honey, and coriander.

Mouth: Cinnamon, mint, honey, and cedar.

Finish: On the longer side of medium. Herbal with additional notes of baking spice and black tea.

Thoughts: Though all signs point to this being pretty much the same as the Rebel 100 Rye that we looked at a couple of weeks ago, there are subtle differences. However, it is hard to know if that is due to Rebel 100 being from the bottom of the bottle versus the Ezra Brooks 99 Rye being from the top, if it is in my imagination, or if there is an actual difference in the barrels that are chosen for each. As I said, the differences are subtle, with the Rebel 100 Rye being sweeter when I taste them side-by-side.

That said, though, this is a tasty rye. I'm digging the herbal notes I'm getting throughout. I even had to raid my spice rack to find the Corriander on the nose. Works well in cocktails too. This one gets a smile from me.

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Rebel 100 Rye

I’d like to thank ByrnePR and Lux Row for providing this review sample with no strings attached.

Hello everybody and Happy 4:20 to those who celebrate where it is legal (and to those who allegedly do so where it is not). Tonight we have something to talk about that I really love: a new and inexpensive rye whiskey. You know that I love exploring new whiskeys. Especially those that come in with a price point where I don’t reflexively feel the need to apologize when I cover them.

Rebel 100 Rye is the latest offering from Lux Row Distillers. It complements the 100 proof offering of the Rebel 100 bourbon, one of my favorites in the Rebel Whiskey line-up. As an aside, I find it a little odd that the Rebel line is made up of a wheated bourbon and a rye whiskey, but no bourbon with rye in it. That said, I guess if the whiskey is good I guess I don’t really care how the combine the constituents of the brand. This is distilled and aged in Indiana at Lux Row’s sister distillery, MGP/Ross & Squibb using their 51% Rye Mash Bill of 51% rye grain, 45% corn, and 4% malted barely. It is two years old and will sell for a suggested retail price of $19.99 for a 750 mL bottle.

“Based on the continued success of both Rebel 100 Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, we’ve elevated the proof of its rye counterpart,” said Eric Winter, brand manager for Rebel. “Rebel 100 Rye drinkers still will enjoy the award-winning smooth, spicy rye flavor of Rebel Rye at a proof level that amplifies its taste profile and stands out even better in classic cocktails.”

Let’s see how it tastes.

Rebel 100 Rye

Purchase Info: This sample was provided by the producer for review purposes. The suggested retail price is $19.99.

Price per Drink (50 mL): $1.33

Details: Two years old. 50% ABV. Mash bill: 51% Rye, 45% Corn, 4% malted barley.

Nose: Toffee, mint, and a touch of black tea and citrus.

Mouth: Cinnamon, dried grains, dill, mint and honey.

Finish: Warm and of medium length. Notes of cinnamon, mint, bubblegum, dill and honey.

Thoughts: If you are a fan of the Kentucky-style "barely legal" rye. This is a tasty, and inexpensive, example of that. I probably won't buy it too often because usually when I'm looking for rye, I go with one that has a higher percentage of rye in the mashbill. If I'm looking for something with less "rye" flavor, I go with a high-rye bourbon. This flavor profile sits in that no-man's-land for me. That said its still very good, even at only two years old, and I will happily finish the bottle. I also quite enjoy it in an old fashioned using orange or cherry bitters.

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Jefferson's Ocean New York Edition and Jefferson's Ocean Rye

I’d like to thank Jefferson’s Bourbon and their PR team for providing this review sample with no strings attached.

Last week, I got myself a shipment of whiskey from the PR agency that represents Jefferson’s Bourbon. I’ve enjoyed Jefferson’s in the past but as I was often critical of the cost of the bourbon, I was a bit surprised when they offered me a sample of their new releases. But since “too expensive” is relative, I try to not let that stop me from exploring a new bourbon. Especially when they are providing the sample for review.

Tonight’s two whiskeys are again from the Jefferson’s Ocean lineup. Because we have a lot to cover, let’s just let Jefferson’s tell you what they want you to know about each whiskey and then we can discuss what they taste like.

First, Jefferson’s Ocean Rye:

Welcome aboard rye’s first voyage, joining our Jefferson’s Ocean Aged at Sea family as our 26th voyage. This double-barreled rye whiskey travels the world on ships at sea, blending the bold flavor of Rye with the rich caramelization that comes from the unique sea aging process.

And now Jefferson’s Ocean New York Edition

Prior to landing in New York, the barrels of bourbon traveled around the world sailing through rough and smooth seas while experiencing a wide range of temperatures. When they finished their voyage, they arrived at Manhattan’s first distillery since prohibition. From here, New York’s famous water was used to cut the bourbon to a 98 proof and it is non chill filtered creating a bigger and bolder liquid.

Ok, now that that’s behind us, Let’s see how they taste.

Jefferson's Ocean Rye

Purchase Info: This sample bottle was provided at no cost for review purposes. The suggested retail price is $79.99 for a 750 mL bottle.

Price per Drink (50 mL): $5.33

Details: 48% ABV.

Nose: Wintergreen, cinnamon, bubblegum.

Mouth: Cinnamon spice, nutmeg, bubblegum, and cardboard.

Finish: Medium in warmth and length. Notes of bubble gum, spearmint, and baking spice.

Thoughts: Lots of bubble gum on this one. At least to my palate. This isn't a world-beater by any means, but it isn't bad. It just doesn't align with my palate. I prefer my rye whiskies to have a little more ' 'rye" flavor to them. So I'm neutral on this one. I'd drink it if you were pouring, but probably wouldn't choose it off the shelf if I was pouring

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Jefferson's Ocean: New York Edition

Purchase Info: This sample bottle was provided at no cost for review purposes. They did not provided a suggested retail price but the Bourbon Review is reporting it as $99 for a 750 mL.

Price per Drink (50 mL): $6.67

Details: 49% ABV. Cut to proof with New York water.

Nose: Cinnamon, vanilla, red berries, and hints of oak and wintergreen.

Mouth: Spicy cinnamon, red fruit, brown sugar, wintergreen, dried grain, and raw almond.

Finish: On the longer side of medium length. Notes of nutmeg, wintergreen, vanilla, and cinnamon.

Thoughts: I'm very pleasantly surprised by this one. I'm not usually a huge fan of Jefferson's Bourbon, but this one is pretty good. It has a nice spiciness. Unlike the other Jefferson's Bourbons I've had recently, this doesn't stray too far away from the stereotypical "Bourbon" flavor profile. I usually describe Jefferson's as a "change of pace" bourbon because it is a bit different than the other bourbons on the market. This needs no such disclaimer. I'm a fan. Though the $100 price point of the Jefferson's Ocean New York Edition release does leave a bit to be desired. Especially if you are on a dogsitter’s budget like I am.

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New Riff Balboa Rye Bottled-in-Bond

We are flying by the seat of our pants on this one tonight folks. I’ve not only lost the receipt from when I bought tonight’s whiskey, but it was long enough ago that I honestly don’t even remember where I bought it, much less how much it cost. It was long enough ago that all of the snow that is in the photo above (about a foot and a half or so) has melted and is currently in the process of being replaced by upwards of two feet of new snow.

I don’t usually wait so long between purchase and review, but it got stuck behind something and overlooked for, I’m guessing three months or so. It seems one of the many things that I’ve forgotten about this whiskey is exactly when I bought it. Let’s move forward with what I do know though.

I first became aware of New Riff’s Balboa Rye Bottled in Bond Whiskey when it was re-released as part of their Fall 2020 slate of Whiskey Club Releases. I know this because I bought the other two of the three that were released that October and because I never delete an email if I can help it. It was part of a, probably ill-advised, harrowing two day road trip to Cincinnati and back during the height of the Pandemic. I doubt I will ever again drive that far in one day only to turn around and drive back home the next.

So first things first, what is Balboa Rye? Why is it the name of this whiskey? Is this some sort of Rocky reference? In reverse order:

• No.

• It is the name of the rye variety in used in the mash bill

• Balboa Rye is an heirloom rye grain grown by New Riff’s Corn farmer Charles Fogg. The variety dates back to the 1940s and, according to the New Riff website was popular in Indiana at the time.

So what is an heirloom rye grain? I’m going to let New Riff’s website tell you this one since their explanation will probably also answer many of your followup questions.

Heirloom rye presents a great challenge to those that grow heirloom crops. Winter rye is a promiscuous grain that can easily cross-pollinate. Winter rye seeds must be grown in isolation to accurately produce seed varieties. If they are allowed to cross with other varieties, the identity of the original will be lost. Farmers and distillers that use heirloom rye have to start with seeds from one particularly known provenance. Depending on the person, ‘heirloom’ can have many different meetings. Typically, the term refers to older varieties of rye (or other plants, or livestock) that date from the early 20th century or even back into the 1800s. Older varieties are often discarded by farmers due to their lower yield. For distillers, however, a low yield can be beneficial because there are more flavorful grains wherever there are lower yields. This is the same for wine, where lower-yielding vines are highly prized for depth of flavor in their grapes. Heirloom grains, including rye, have disadvantages that can make them tough to work with. They’re less disease-resistant and more susceptible to insects. The older varieties are more susceptible to disease, and don’t yield as well. For those who produce rye whiskey, like New Riff, the choice to grow single-strain or heirloom rye is impactful. A way to showcase the provenance of rye grains is through the wonderful rye whiskey from New Riff Distilling.

So now that that is out of the way, let’s see how this tastes and see if I was unlucky back in 2020, when it was sold out before I could buy it on my overnight adventure.

New Riff Balboa Rye Bottled-in-Bond

Purchase Info: Honestly…no idea. It looks like the MSRP was $49.99 back in 2020 so I’ll go with that.

Price per Drink (50 mL): $3.33

Details: 4 years old, 50% ABV, Bottled-in- Bond. Mash bill: 95% Balboa Rye, 5% malted rye. Non-Chill Filtered.

Nose: Cedar, cinnamon, brown sugar, menthol, a deep earthy note.

Mouth: Spicy cinnamon, caramel, mint, and almonds.

Finish: Medium-long and warm with notes of cinnamon and almond.

Thoughts: This is one of the more interesting whiskies that have come across my desk in recent months. Please don't confuse "most interesting" with "best" though. It’s quite good, don’t get me wrong, it's just different enough that I will probably need to be in the mood for some thing interesting and different before I reach for this one. Which is fine, since it looks like none of the stores near me are currently carrying it.

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Painted Stave Bottled in Bond Rye Whiskey

Late last year, I was in Total Wine, planning ahead for things to review. There is an employee there who I chat with about bourbon when he’s working. It never hurts to get the ear of a liquor store employee. Even if a Total Wine employee is unlikely to help you score sought after releases, if they know that you know your bourbon, they are less likely to try to push Spirits Direct items your way.

Well, most of the time. This guy knows that I know my stuff. In fact, he’s an occasional reader now. And knowing that, he only suggests the Spirits Direct stuff when he honestly likes it. So when he told me that he honestly liked this one while also saying something to the effect of “I know, I know, Spirits Direct,” well, I decided to take a shot on it.

Painted Stave Distilling is a craft distillery and cocktail bar in Smyrna, Deleware. Located in the Old Smyrna Theater building, they are currently 9 years old. Just a couple of years younger than this site you’re reading now. They make gin, vodka, some liqueurs, an Irish-Style whiskey, a Bonded Corn whiskey, Bonded Bourbon, and of course this Bonded Rye whiskey. Here is what the producers have to say about their rye whiskey:

Painted Stave Rye is a shining example of our approach to branding at Painted Stave Distilling: celebrate and retell local history. Just to our south, Diamond State Rye (editor’s note: this seems to be an earlier brand name for their rye before it was a Bottled-in-Bond release) was originally made by the Levy & Glosking Distillery, which was shut down by the strong teetotaling movement in our county before prohibition. While the mash bills are likely different, many of the branding elements were inspired from the original design, and presently serves as the template for all of whiskies. DSRye, is a Maryland rye-styled whiskey, where corn is added to contrast the spicy nature of rye and produce a whiskey with more subdued spice and rounder subtler flavors. The sweetness of the corn helps balance the dry spiciness of the rye to yield a spirit that is right at home in a classic Manhattan or sipped on fresh ice. At least four years in heavily charred white oak barrels, no chill filtering, and ready to rock.

Alright, let’s see how it tastes.

Painted Stave Bottled in Bond Rye Whiskey

Purchase Info: $41.99 for a 750 mL bottle at Total Wine, Burnsville, MN

Price per Drink (50 mL): $2.80

Details: 4 years old. 50% ABV. DSP-DE-21002. Batch/Bottle Number: 5-297

Nose: Spearmint, caramel, anise, clove, and red fruits.

Mouth: Spearmint, bubblegum, cardboard, plums, and cinnamon.

Finish: Warm and on the longer side of medium. Notes of spearmint, cinnamon, bubble gum, and cardboard.

Thoughts: This is a weird one. On the nose, it reminded me of Peychaud's Bitters with some spearmint and caramel. On the mouth, it reminded me of the gum that came with Topps Baseball Cards in the 1980s, along with spearmint and spice. Same with the finish. Honestly, this isn't for me. At least not on its own. In a Sazerac, it works wonderfully, probably due to its resemblance to Peychaud's. So, I'm pretty neutral on this one. I'll probably keep it in the cocktail cart and use it in cocktails.

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Old Ezra 7-Year Straight Rye Whiskey

These days more than anything else, I am having fun playing with lasers. Well, kinda. I bought a laser engraver and have been using it to make all sorts of fun stuff. I love working with wood, but I’ve been a professional digital artist for 20 years or so. This combines the fun that I can have with digital art, with the fun that I can have with physical items and blends it in a way that is rewarding and, well, fun. So far I’ve just been burning designs into wood and cutting things out, but that will change as I get used to the medium. I can’t wait.

One slick segue later and you’ll find that I’m not the only one who’s been doing some blending. (nailed it) The folks over at Lux Row are back at it. This time extending the Ezra Brooks brand lineup with a rye whiskey that is a blend of rye whiskeys. Old Ezra 7-Year Straight Rye Whiskey blends two ryes whiskeys. One with a mash bill that contains 51% rye and another that has a mash bill of 95% rye. That last one is one of my favorite styles of rye so I was pretty excited to see this one land on my desk. Especially since it is 7 years old and 114° proof. That made my day. Here is what the producer has to say about their new release.

"With Old Ezra 7-Year Straight Rye Whiskey, we've delivered a rye whiskey worthy of the Old Ezra label," said Lux Row Distillers master distiller John Rempe. "This tasty 7-year-old rye offers slightly sweet and oaky tones with hints of vanilla and honey, and it finishes with a warm touch of spice and tobacco. It's certain to become a favorite among both rye fans and fans of the Ezra Brooks brand family."

Now that we know what the producer has to say, let’s dig in and see how it tastes.

Old Ezra 7-Year Straight Rye Whiskey

Purchase Info: This sample was provided for review purposes. The suggested retail price is $79.99 for a 750 mL bottle.

Price per Drink (50 ml): $5.33

Details: 7 years old. 57% ABV. Blend of 51% rye mash whiskey and 95% rye mash whiskey.

Nose: Dusty aging warehouse, toffee, and an herbal mint.

Mouth: Rich mouthfeel. Toffee, mint, cinnamon, and oak.

Finish: Long and minty. Notes of herbal mint, toffee and cinnamon.

Thoughts: Even my wife who doesn't care for most rye whiskeys likes this. It is rich and sweet in the mouth with the minty rye notes taking over as the finish starts. This is tasty. I really am enjoying it.

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Uncle Nearest Rye, 100 proof

This review sample was kindly provided by the PR team for Uncle Nearest Whiskey with no strings attached.

It’s been snowing for the last two days. I hate snow. It’s cold. It’s wet unless it isn’t, in which case it is even colder. It’s heavy, especially when it is wet. It’s just all-around unpleasant. Though that is an unpopular opinion around here. Most folks in the area love winter. Or they claim to. I secretly think they are just stubborn and don’t want to move.

And don’t you worry, I’m thinking of moving. I think about it with every shovel full of snow that I throw off the driveway. Every time I look out at the snow-covered deck and think about deck drinks. Every time I have to bundle up to walk to the mailbox at the end of my driveway. Every time I think about moving. But…then I don’t. I have family here. My wife has a good job. I can afford to pay the heating bill. There is a lot of inertia in staying put. At least I have tasty rye whiskey to help keep me warm on a cold winter’s night.

Sometimes, like tonight, that rye comes from Canada, a place even colder than Minnesota. Though tonight’s comes from Canada by way of New York and Tennessee. Yep, once again, we are looking at an Uncle Nearest Rye. About a month ago, we looked at the limited edition uncut and unfiltered version. Tonight’s is the mass market, 100° proof version. The press release has the following to say about it:

Due to the challenges around growing rye in Tennessee, this whiskey originates in Canada – according to the exact American specifications required to be a straight rye whiskey – and is then aged in New York for a minimum of four years before moving down to Tennessee, where it is then rested in used Uncle Nearest barrels for additional maturation. The liquid is then tasted, barrel by barrel, and blended by Victoria. “When I was doing my research on Nearest Green, I came across a handwritten letter from President William Taft,” said Fawn Weaver, founder and CEO of Uncle Nearest. “The letter was dated May 16, 1911, and was addressed to his U.S. Secretary of War, Jacob M. Dickinson, thanking him for sending his favorite rye whiskey ‘of the Lincoln County variety.’ This letter led me to believe rye whiskeys were being made in this area, so after I found that letter there was no doubt in my mind a straight rye whiskey would one day be added to our portfolio of whiskeys.”

So, let’s see how it tastes, shall we?

Uncle Nearest Rye, 100 proof

Purchase Info: This sample was provided by the producer at no charge for review purposes. The suggested retail price is $59.

Price Per Drink (50 ml): $4.00

Details: Distilled in Canada, Aged in Canada, New York, and Tennessee. 50% ABV.

Nose: Toffee, almond, a hint of mint, and chocolate.

Mouth: Thick mouthfeel. Cinnamon, mint, toffee, and almond.

Finish: Medium to long and warm. Notes of cinnamon and toffee.

Thoughts: Sweet and thick in the mouth. Nice spice. Almost too sweet for my palate. This would probably be amazing in an Old Fashioned, though. (Spoiler from after I took the notes…it is. Works great in an Old Fashioned with Angostura bitters and the oil expressed from the orange peel garnish.)

About a month ago, we covered the Uncut/Unfiltered Limited Edition Uncle Nearest Rye. So how does the 100° proof version compare? Well, this is very similar on the nose. The mouth of the 100° proof is a bit less punchy than the barrel-strength version. Which at an almost 20° proof difference is to be expected. The flavors are very similar, as you might expect, but the barrel-proof version is hotter and more vibrant. Both are quite good, though.

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