New Riff loves pumping out particular releases, and its newest takes a cue from the world of heirloom grains. Particularly, each of those are constituted of uncommon, regional, heirloom corn crops referred to as, alternately, Yellow Leaming and Blue Clarage.
Right here’s some backstory:
Each bottled in bond with out chill filtration at 100 proof, the Yellow Leaming and Blue Clarage Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskeys had been distilled from uncommon, regional heirloom corn crops and finely crafted into equally uncommon bourbons, introducing unprecedented flavors and connecting the distillery to its agricultural origins of whiskey making from centuries handed.
“The broader whiskey {industry} is waking as much as the probabilities and flavors inherent of previous grains, previous substances from a century in the past,” mentioned co-founder Jay Erisman. “Heirloom grains are a direct ticket to completely different flavors, but of nice authenticity and actuality. We’re proud to do our half to protect the previous whereas persevering with to spotlight our model’s dedication to industry-leading innovation.”
Initially a by-product of a Native American corn relationship again to 1824, the Yellow Leaming heirloom varietal used on this newest exploration was totally sourced and grown for New Riff by an area farming accomplice, Charles Fogg, of Greensburg, Indiana.
“Yellow Leaming, one of many best corns in American agricultural historical past would finally go on to kind the idea for the usual of recent American yellow dent corn, and it got here from proper right here in Hamilton County, Higher Cincinnati, Ohio,” Erisman mentioned.
The Ohio Valley Blue Clarage varietal, developed within the Nineteen Twenties by farmer Edmund Clarridge in Clinton County, Ohio, birthed the second heirloom grain launch from a extra circuitous path to the distillery, lending a marked distinction to the whiskey in comparison with New Riff’s normal recipe, replete with fruited, spicy tones.
“We got 150 kilos of the blue corn as seed inventory from farmer Tony West at Appalachian Heirloom Plant Farm,” Erisman mentioned. “Charles Fogg took this seed inventory and grew it right into a crop that sustained our singular manufacturing of this whiskey for years. Usually related to the Southwest United States area and Mexico, blue corn comes from proper right here in our homeland within the Ohio Valley, too.”
The heirloom Yellow Leaming corn, at 5 years of age, has led to a basic New Riff high-rye bourbon of outstanding depth and stability. For the heirloom Blue Clarage corn, Erisman describes the nostril as “offering an additional layer of fruitiness, juxtaposed towards the clove-led spices of the 30% rye grain.”
The Yellow Leaming Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey is made with 65% heirloom Yellow Leaming corn, 30% rye, and 5% malted barley. The Blue Clarage Straight Bourbon Whiskey is made with 65% heirloom Blue Clarage corn, 30% rye, and 5% malted barley. Each whiskeys are aged 5 years and should be bought on the distillery.
Whew!
Which tastes higher, yellow or blue? We put them facet by facet to search out out. Each are 100 proof.
New Riff Yellow Leaming Bourbon – Actually, surprisingly candy. Maple is exuberant on the nostril, alongside notes of caramel, ample vanilla, and overripe stone fruit. Comparable on the palate, there’s a right away peachiness and apricot high quality, then loads extra of that maple, adopted by some basic peanut — nearly honeyed peanut butter — notes. The nuttiness endures into the end, which is prolonged and only a bit sizzling, with a lot of lingering sweetness as well. Nonetheless fairly fruity on the fade-out, although much less distinctive. Definitely innocent, however nothing particular. B
New Riff Blue Clarage Bourbon – Significantly extra brooding and extra advanced, the rye within the mash is much extra evident right here, and that’s an excellent factor. Without delay toasty, grassy, and candy, the nostril is wealthy and sophisticated — candy however with an undercurrent of barbecue spice rub. All the things coalesces way more cleanly on the palate, showcasing peanut brittle, baking spice, and a savory, pumpernickel bread be aware. Barely smoky on the palate, with notes of cocoa powder and a few graphite, shifting slowly into that inimitable chocolate-meets-peanut putter Reese’s high quality. Touches of fruit within the combine — largely apple, each recent and baked. It’s just a little corny on the end, however by no means disagreeable, including a pop of Cracker Jack right into a properly well-rounded expertise. Definitively superior to Yellow Leaming in each dimension. A-
every $56 / newriffdistilling.com
New Riff Yellow Leaming Bourbon
$56
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