Latest news with #NewRiff
Forbes
9 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Forbes
10 Must-Try Craft Bourbons You've Never Heard Of
Bourbon by a fire Bourbon lovers, we need to talk. You've probably sipped the big names—Buffalo Trace, Wild Turkey, Maker's Mark—but let's be honest, the hunt for something new is half the fun. And while the shelves are stacked with recognizable bottles, there's a whole world of craft bourbon out there just waiting to be discovered. These smaller distilleries may not have century-old rickhouses or celebrity endorsements, but they do have something arguably better: creative freedom, bold experimentation, and a dedication to making some pretty fantastic whiskey. So if you're ready to venture beyond the usual suspects, here are ten craft bourbons that deserve a spot on your bar cart. New Riff Bourbon New Riff is proof that you don't need 100 years of history to make great bourbon—you just need great bourbon-making. Their bottled-in-bond expression follows all the old-school rules (minimum four years of aging, 100 proof, no chill filtration), but the result is anything but ordinary. New Riff may not be a household name—yet—but their bottled-in-bond bourbon is quickly making waves. Aged at least four years and non-chill filtered, this Kentucky gem packs a rich caramel sweetness balanced by a spicy rye kick. There's even a refreshing touch of mint on the finish, proving that not all bourbons have to taste like straight-up dessert. Tasting Notes: Vanilla bean, baking spice, hint of mint Wilderness Trail Single Barrel Bourbon While many distilleries rush to bottle their bourbon, Wilderness Trail takes the slow-and-steady approach. Using a sweet mash process and careful aging in low-heat warehouses, they create a whiskey that's rich, well-balanced, and full of complexity. Wilderness Trail takes their time with everything, from using sweet mash (instead of the usual sour mash) to aging their whiskey in lower warehouse ricks for better flavor development. The result? A beautifully balanced bourbon with dark cherry, toffee, and a black pepper bite that lingers long after your sip. Tasting Notes: Dark cherry, toffee, black pepper Pinhook Bourbon Heist Pinhook does bourbon a little differently—releasing it in vintages, just like wine. This means each batch has a unique personality, and Bourbon Heist is a standout, blending a warm, honeyed sweetness with a bit of spice and nuttiness. Pinhook's approach is unique—they release bourbon in yearly vintages, similar to wine. Bourbon Heist, one of their recent standouts, brings a cozy mix of honey, cinnamon, and roasted peanuts, making it feel like a warm hug in a glass. Tasting Notes: Honey, cinnamon, roasted peanuts Chattanooga Whiskey 111 Tennessee whiskey usually brings one name to mind, but Chattanooga Whiskey is carving out a lane of its own. Their high-proof, unfiltered bourbon is packed with rich, toasty flavors that make it perfect for sipping—or standing up to a bold cocktail. Tennessee might be better known for Jack Daniel's, but Chattanooga Whiskey is here to shake things up. Their 111-proof bourbon is unfiltered and unapologetically bold, with rich brown sugar sweetness, toasty marshmallow notes, and a deep espresso backbone. Tasting Notes: Toasted marshmallow, espresso, brown sugar Frey Ranch Straight Bourbon Nevada might not be bourbon country, but Frey Ranch is proving that great whiskey can come from anywhere. As a grain-to-glass distillery, they grow their own grains, giving their bourbon a unique citrusy brightness that sets it apart. Nevada might not be the first place you think of when it comes to bourbon, but Frey Ranch is proving that great whiskey can come from anywhere. This grain-to-glass distillery grows its own grains, creating a uniquely citrusy and caramel-forward bourbon that stands out from the pack. Tasting Notes: Orange zest, caramel, toasted oak Starlight Carl T. Bourbon Starlight Distillery's Carl T. Bourbon feels like a hidden gem waiting to be discovered. Family-owned and operated, they focus on small-batch production with innovative finishes—so don't be surprised if you find a honey or port cask version floating around. Starlight Distillery, run by the Huber family, makes some of the most interesting craft bourbon around. Their Carl T. Bourbon is a buttery, maple-laced delight with just enough toasted almond to keep things interesting. Plus, their finishing experiments (like honey and port casks) make them one to watch. Tasting Notes: Buttered popcorn, maple syrup, toasted almonds Ironroot Harbinger Texas heat accelerates bourbon aging, but Ironroot Harbinger takes that intensity and turns it into an art form. Dark chocolate, dried fruit, and oak spice combine in this high-proof sipper, making it a must-try for fans of bold, rich flavors. If you like your bourbon with a little extra punch, this one's for you. Tasting Notes: Dark chocolate, dried fruit, oak spice Bluegrass Distillers Toasted Oak Bourbon The toasted barrel trend is here to stay, and Bluegrass Distillers is doing it right. Their Toasted Oak Bourbon is a rich, layered pour with just the right balance of sweet vanilla, toasted coconut, and subtle smokiness. Their Toasted Oak Bourbon has a rich vanilla core, a surprising hint of toasted coconut, and just a wisp of campfire smoke to round it all out. Tasting Notes: Toasted coconut, vanilla, campfire smoke Kings County Peated Bourbon Peated bourbon? You read that right. Kings County Distillery isn't afraid to push boundaries, and their peated bourbon blends smoky Scotch-like flavors with the caramel sweetness of classic American whiskey. It's weird, it's wonderful, and it's worth a try. This Brooklyn-based distillery brings a Scotch-like smokiness to a classic American bourbon, blending caramel sweetness with earthy peat and bright citrus peel for a sip that's truly one-of-a-kind. Tasting Notes: Smoked caramel, earthy oak, citrus peel Redwood Empire Pipe Dream California might be famous for wine, but Redwood Empire is making serious moves in the bourbon world. Pipe Dream brings a beautifully smooth, fruit-forward profile with baked apple, cinnamon, and sweet oak—perfect for those who like their bourbon on the softer side. It's proof that great bourbon can thrive outside of Kentucky. Tasting Notes: Baked apple, cinnamon, sweet oak The days of bourbon being dominated by just a few big-name distilleries are long gone. Across the country, craft producers are making some of the most exciting and unique whiskey on the market. Whether you're looking for a high-proof monster, a delicately balanced sipper, or something completely unexpected (looking at you, peated bourbon), there's a craft bottle out there waiting to surprise you. So next time you're browsing the liquor store shelves, take a chance on one of these underrated gems—you just might find your new favorite pour.
Yahoo
11-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Graeter's Ice Cream and New Riff Distilling Unveil Bourbon Ball Ice Cream Collaboration
New Special Single Barrel Bourbon Ice Cream Honors the Rich Flavors of Kentucky CINCINNATI, April 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Graeter's Ice Cream, America's oldest family-owned and operated craft ice cream maker, and New Riff Distilling, a Kentucky-based distillery known for its award-winning bourbon, announced today their first-ever collaboration: Graeter's Bourbon Ball Ice Cream. Inspired by the classic Kentucky confection, this indulgent new flavor is now available to order for nationwide shipping at it will be available at New Riff's Gift Shop beginning Saturday, April 12, and all Graeter's scoop shops starting Monday, April 14. Fans can also find this collaboration in Meijer, Jungle Jim's and Dorothy Lane Market stores this spring. Graeter's Bourbon Ball Ice Cream is a rich, bourbon-infused ice cream with whiskey-glazed pecans and dark chocolate chips. Each bite captures the signature flavors from a hand-selected single barrel of New Riff's expertly crafted bourbon, offering a one-of-a-kind ice cream experience that blends tradition, craftsmanship, and indulgence. Bourbon Ball will replace Graeter's Brown Butter Bourbon Pecan and is an evolution of the beloved flavor, bringing the recipe into the next generation. "We are thrilled to collaborate with New Riff Distilling to create a flavor that celebrates two iconic treats: Kentucky Bourbon and ice cream," said Richard Graeter, fourth-generation president and CEO, Graeter's. "Working with the team at New Riff to taste and select a special Single Barrel, our team has created the perfect fusion of our hand-crafted process and New Riff's exceptional distilling, delivering a unique experience that honors the rich flavors of Kentucky." New Riff's commitment to time-honored bourbon-making techniques made them a natural partner for this collaboration. By incorporating their award-winning bourbon into Graeter's small-batch French Pot ice cream, the two brands have created a bold yet balanced dessert that speaks to bourbon enthusiasts and ice cream lovers alike. "We couldn't be more excited to partner with another local, family-owned business that shares our passion for craft and quality," said Mollie Lewis, president, New Riff. "Graeter's has been an incredible partner – not only do they make amazing ice cream, but the way they incorporated our Single Barrel Bourbon into this recipe blew us away. It's the perfect blend of two great traditions, and we can't wait for everyone to get a taste." Graeter's Bourbon Ball Ice Cream is available to order for nationwide shipping at and will be available at all Graeter's scoop shops starting April 14. This new flavor will be in select grocery stores by the end of April. Fans can also stop by New Riff Distilling from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. ET on Saturday, April 12, for free samples or to purchase a pint. About Graeter's Ice CreamSince 1870, five generations of the Graeter family have remained committed to handcrafting only the most indulgent ice cream available. From humble beginnings serving ice cream from a cart in Cincinnati to the nationwide presence of Graeter's Ice Cream today, the family has stayed true to the traditional "French Pot" method and is the only company in the world that still makes ice cream at scale this way. Graeter's has 50+ retail stores and ships more than 300,000 pints annually. The brand can also be found in more than 3,000 grocery stores in 46 states. For more information, visit or follow Graeter's on Instagram, Facebook, or X (formerly known as Twitter). About New Riff DistillingFiercely 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, now available nationwide. 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 Newport distillery includes 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. Bourbon and rye are also available in single barrel selections, and the distillery boasts a popular private barrel selection program offering a variety of selection options and personalized labels. For more information, visit or follow New Riff on Instagram, Facebook, or X (formerly known as Twitter). View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Graeter's Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
11-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Graeter's, New Riff Distilling collab for new bourbon ice cream. Here's what's in it
A new Graeter's Ice Cream collaboration is hitting the shelves (no, we're not talking about the Graeter's-Skyline Chili concoction that nearly broke the internet earlier this year). The Cincinnati-based ice cream chain is teaming up with New Riff Distilling to launch a brand-new flavor: Graeter's Bourbon Ball Ice Cream. The dessert incorporates the Northern Kentucky-based distillery's award-winning bourbon with Graeter's beloved small-batch French Pot ice cream. So what's in it? The collaboration is bourbon-infused ice cream with whiskey-glazed pecans and dark chocolate chips. It's also made using a hand-selected single barrel of New Riff bourbon. 'We are thrilled to collaborate with New Riff Distilling to create a flavor that celebrates two iconic treats: Kentucky Bourbon and ice cream,' Graeter's President and CEO Richard Graeter said in a press release. 'Working with the team at New Riff to taste and select a special Single Barrel, our team has created the perfect fusion of our hand-crafted process and New Riff's exceptional distilling, delivering a unique experience that honors the rich flavors of Kentucky.' The new flavor is available to order now at It will be available at New Riff's Gift Shop, 24 Distillery Way in Newport, beginning Saturday, April 12, and all Graeter's scoop shops starting Monday, April 14. Bourbon Ball Ice Cream will also be sold at Meijer, Jungle Jim's and Dorothy Lane Market stores this spring. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Graeter's, New Riff Distilling collab for new bourbon ice cream
