The Meet the B-Line series continues with New Riff Distilling. Like all B-Line distilleries, New Riff is also on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail®. By the way, Northern Kentucky, home to The B-Line, is also an Official Gateway to the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. NKY is a great starting point for your bourbon adventures!
Situated in Newport, Ky. on the bank of the Ohio River across from Cincinnati, Ohio, New Riff is an independently owned, urban distillery that crafts award-winning Kentucky whiskeys including Bourbon, Rye, Malted Rye, and their very own Kentucky Wild Gin.
New Riff was founded in 2014 by Ken Lewis, an entrepreneur and liquor retailer. Ken wanted to create a new riff on an old tradition. Using a Sour Mash Kentucky Regimen and Bottled in Bond without chill filtration, New Riff provides a new style for their Kentucky whiskey. In 2022, New Riff Distilling’s Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey Bottled in Bond received a Double Gold award from the San Franscisco World Spirits Competition. Additionally, they’ve won gold medals for their New Riff Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey; New Riff Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Single Barrel; New Riff Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey Single Barrel; New Riff Balboa Rye; New Riff Malted Rye; New Riff Red Turkey Wheated; New Riff Malted Wheat “Maltster”; New Riff Kentucky Wild Gin; and New Riff Kentucky Wild Gin Bourbon Barreled.
Since its inception, not only does New Riff provide award-winning products, they also provide guests with incredible experiences as well. From a selection of behind-the-scenes tours of their facility to thoughtfully curated tastings, guests can learn about the bourbon making process from grain to glass. While on one of their distillery tours, my favorite part was the fermentation process. Stepping up to the piping hot fermenter and seeing all the floating grain, everyone in our group smelled something different. To me it smelled like molasses, while some others smelled scents of fruit.
Our tour ended on the third floor at The Aquifer Tasting Room to sample a few products including their Rye Whiskey, Single Barrel Bourbon, and we even got to sample their gin. After your tour and tasting, feel free to hang out in the The Aquifer Tasting Room. They offer a number of small bites, cocktails, beer and non-alcoholic drinks. It’s also a great place to stop in and spend time with family, friends or colleagues. After your tour, don’t miss New Riff’s fantastic gift shop. They have a wide variety of fun products, including clothing, glasses, bourbon-scented candles, and more. And you can pick up a bottle (or two!) of their award-winning spirits.
If this article has enticed you, please download our B-Line digital passport or stop by one of the many stops on The B-Line for an official paper copy and get started on your bourbon adventure. For those that check in at 2 restaurants, 2 bars and 2 distilleries, we will send you a free bourbon swag gift of your choosing! Who doesn’t like free stuff? Also, if you are interested in bourbon-centric events, keep an eye on our calendar, updated daily with great events happening all month long. Until next time friends, go forth and explore our great region, one sip and bite at a time!
