New Riff Unveils 6-Year-Old Wheated Bourbon

New Riff Distilling has announced the release of its 6-year-old Kentucky Straight Wheated Bourbon Whiskey, available exclusively through its Whiskey Club beginning Friday, Oct. 16. The award-winning Newport distillery’s take on the classic style showcases traditionally floor-malted wheat and other grains — drawing on the distilling team’s brewing expertise and the distinctive character of dark wheat to create a rich, complex whiskey.

“Since day one, we’ve wanted a wheated bourbon in our portfolio, and I wanted to make one that was really flavorful,” said Master Distiller Brian Sprance. “That led us to grains we know well from our brewing background, including different malted grains and wheats that aren’t commonly used in whiskey. We’ve worked with these grains extensively in brewing and knew they could bring something different to a wheated bourbon. It’s our take on how flavorful and interesting a wheated bourbon can be.”

The mashbill, closer to a beer recipe than a traditional whiskey recipe, was built around a selection of wheat and malted grains familiar to the distilling team from their brewing backgrounds. The distillers chose traditionally floor-malted grains — produced through a labor-intensive germination process — for the deeper, more robust flavors they could bring to the whiskey, Sprance added.

Dark wheat brings balance and a richer, more roasted character, along with malty sweetness and notes of toffee and caramel. Every grain was chosen with flavor in mind, resulting in a full-bodied wheat whiskey with layers of character that distinguish it from more traditional expressions of the style.

New Riff Kentucky Straight Wheated Bourbon Whiskey is aged 6 years, bottled in bond without chill filtration at 100 proof and comprised of 65% corn, 18% floor-malted wheat, 10% unmalted wheat and 7% dark wheat. Bright and lively, the whiskey opens with lemon zest, fresh orange, orange blossom honey and warm lemon pound cake, layered with soft wheat, toasted pecan and subtle oak leading to a brown sugar, custard and baking spice mouthfeel, while the finish lingers with vanilla buttercream, honey, bright lemon citrus and a gentle, nutty oak character.

“Every grain was chosen with flavor in mind, resulting in a very flavorful wheat whiskey with layers of character that set it apart from what you typically find in the category,” said Sprance.

New Riff Kentucky Straight Wheated Bourbon Whiskey has a suggested retail price of $59.99 and will be available for purchase beginning Friday, Oct. 16, exclusively through New Riff’s Whiskey Club for distillery pickup only.

New Riff (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 and — 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.