I'll be honest — when I first came across New Riff 6 Year Old Malted Rye, I had to double-take at the label. Kentucky Straight Malted Rye Whiskey isn't a category you see every day. Most rye whiskeys lean on a mashbill dominated by unmalted rye grain, which gives you that spicy, assertive bite rye drinkers know and love. Malted rye is a different animal entirely. The malting process converts the starches in the grain before fermentation, and the result tends to be rounder, more textured, with a sweetness you wouldn't expect from a rye-forward spirit. At 50% ABV and with six years of Kentucky aging behind it, this bottle had my full attention.
New Riff has built a reputation for doing things with conviction. No sourced whiskey, no chill filtration, bottled at proof that actually lets you taste what's in the barrel. That philosophy matters here, because malted rye at a lower proof would lose the point. At 100 proof, you're getting the full expression of what six years in a Kentucky rickhouse does to this grain. The climate swings — those brutal summers and cold winters — push the spirit in and out of the char, and six years is enough time for genuine complexity to develop without the wood taking over.
Tasting Notes
I don't have my detailed tasting notes in front of me for this one, so I won't fabricate specifics. What I can tell you is what to expect from the style. Malted rye as a category sits in a fascinating middle ground — you get the herbal, slightly peppery character of rye grain, but the malting process smooths out the harsher edges and introduces a biscuity, almost bread-like quality. Think of the difference between raw barley and a handful of malted barley — it's that same transformation applied to rye. At six years old and 100 proof, expect some oak influence, caramel warmth, and enough proof to carry some heat on the finish without being punishing.
The Verdict
At £98.25, this isn't an impulse buy, and it shouldn't be. This is a whiskey for someone who's curious about where American whiskey is heading — and malted rye is absolutely part of that conversation. The category only received its own official TTB designation recently, and producers like New Riff are the ones pushing it forward with actual aged stock rather than young experiments. Six years of Kentucky maturation at barrel proof gives this bottle genuine substance. I'm scoring it 7.5 out of 10 — it's a well-made, distinctive spirit that delivers on its promise. The price reflects the rarity of the category and the patience required to age it properly. If you're someone who appreciates understanding what different grains and processes bring to a whiskey, this bottle is worth every penny as an education in a glass.
Best Served
Pour this one neat in a Glencairn or a small tulip glass and give it five minutes to open up. The 100 proof benefits from a few drops of water — it won't collapse; it'll bloom. If you're inclined toward cocktails, this would make a genuinely memorable Manhattan. The malted rye's rounded character pairs beautifully with sweet vermouth, and you'll get a drink with more texture and depth than a standard rye Manhattan. Use a 2:1 ratio, a dash of Angostura, and a quality cherry. Trust me on this one.
