New Riff Announces 6-Year-Old Silver Grove Bourbon & Rye

New Riff Distilling has announced the dual release of 6-year-old Silver Grove Straight Bourbon Whiskey and Silver Grove Straight Rye Whiskey — the Newport distillery’s oldest Silver Grove expressions to date. Since the inaugural release in 2023, product sale proceeds, which have totaled nearly $92,000 since inception, will continue to support the Silver Grove Community Foundation.

These annual releases truly embody a new riff on an old tradition by bringing together a robust barrel-proof bourbon and rye with a special label design that pays homage to Greater Cincinnati’s distilling history.

“We’ve been really looking forward to releasing older age statements, and we’re excited that this marks the first Silver Grove release aged 6 years,” said Sprance. “Over the years, our distilling team has followed these barrels closely and learned which flavor profiles really resonate with us.”

Distilled in Newport by New Riff, aged 6 years and bottled at 116.4 proof with a mashbill of 65% corn, 30% rye and 5% malted barley, the 2026 Silver Grove Straight Bourbon Whiskey opens with apple blossom and orchard fruits with subtle hints of apple brandy and baked apple, with apple fritter and candy apple leading into a subtle baking spice on the palate, followed by lingering notes of pecan and caramelized apple, promising a warm, orchard-inspired finish, Sprance noted.

Aged 6 years and bottled at 115 proof with a mashbill of 95% rye and 5% malted rye, Silver Grove Straight Rye Whiskey begins with candied orange, clove and cinnamon on the nose, with citrusy, warming spice accents leading to a creamy and layered mouthfeel, with clove-studded orange, dark berries and hints of toffee. The rich and warm finish features notes of oatmeal raisin and cookie dough.

“The barrels we selected for this release stood out with unique character and flavors we don’t typically see — flavors that immediately excited us when we first tasted them,” said Sprance. “We don’t blend for consistency; we blend for taste, and this release offers something distinctive that we think whiskey drinkers will really enjoy.”

The Silver Grove Community Foundation seeks to improve the quality of life and support community-led projects in the city. In 2024, thanks to funds raised through sales of Silver Grove whiskey, New Riff partnered with the organization to dedicate a new park at Green Valley Pond, featuring the addition of multiple utility installations and a recreational trail around the pond to connect to current sidewalks.

Aiming to meet their growing need for rickhouse expansion, New Riff made the decision to build a new barrel warehouse in Silver Grove in 2022, discovering a unique opportunity to significantly support that community through their philanthropic efforts just as they do in Newport and throughout Northern Kentucky, President Mollie Lewis noted.

Silver Grove Straight Bourbon Whiskey and Silver Grove Straight Rye Whiskey will both be available for purchase exclusively at New Riff’s gift shop beginning Friday, March 13, for $59.99 each.

New Riff Distilling (Newport, KY):

Fiercely independent and unabashedly innovative, New Riff Distilling starts with time-honored sour mash methods and bottled-in-bond standards, creating new riffs on old traditions since 2014. Located in Northern Kentucky — the gateway to bourbon country — the independently owned distillery produces award-winning bourbon, rye, single malt whiskey and gin, including its acclaimed flagship Bottled-in-Bond Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, which was named the World’s Best Bourbon at the 2026 World Whiskies Awards. Bourbon and rye are also available in single barrel selections, and the distillery boasts a popular private barrel selection program offering quarter, half and full barrel picks complete with personalized labels. New Riff sources its water from an alluvial aquifer under the distillery, accessed via a 100’ deep private well and providing cold, clean and mineral-rich water perfect for whiskey making. The public-facing spaces in the distillery, renovated in 2023, include the Riff Shop with customizable gifting options and locally sourced artisan goods; and The Aquifer Tasting Room, located on the third floor of the distillery, featuring signature cocktails, flights, and pours of New Riff’s entire portfolio of award-winning spirits including rare, limited-edition, and distillery-exclusive releases.