New Riff Winter Whiskey 750ML is a Kentucky straight bourbon whiskey bottled in bond at 100 proof (50% ABV) in a 750ml bottle. This seasonal expression earned a Grand Gold medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, validating its unconventional approach to bourbon — a mashbill directly inspired by chocolate oatmeal stout that delivers rich cocoa depth and oaty warmth unlike anything else in the category.Quick Facts: ABV: 50% (100 Proof) | Origin: Kentucky, USA | Minimum 4 Years Old, Bottled-in-Bond | Distillery: New Riff DistilleryProduction & HeritageNew Riff Distillery, founded in 2014 in Newport, Kentucky, has built a reputation on transparency and non-chill-filtered, bottled-in-bond releases. Winter Whiskey stands apart from their core bourbon lineup through its brewer-influenced mashbill: 65% corn, 20% malted oats, 7% Pale Ale malt, 5% steel-cut raw oats, and 3% chocolate malt — ingredients drawn from craft brewing rather than traditional distilling. Aged a minimum of four years in new charred American oak barrels and meeting all bottled-in-bond requirements (single distillery, single distilling season, four-year minimum age, 100 proof), this expression channels the roasted, malty character of a chocolate oatmeal stout into bourbon form.Tasting NotesAroma: Toasted oak and cocoa powder arrive first, followed by roasted grain and a thread of subtle baking spice. The nose is darker and more savory than a typical bourbon, hinting at the chocolate malt and oat influence before the first sip.Taste: The entry is surprisingly dry, with cocoa and malted grain leading into a mid-palate of gentle sweetness balanced by firm oak spice. As it develops, earthy warmth from the oats emerges, creating a layered texture that oscillates between delicate sweetness and roasted depth. At 100 proof, the flavors carry real weight without excessive heat.Finish: Long and warming, with lingering oaty spice and dark chocolate that refuses to fade quickly. The interplay between the raw oat grain character and the roasted cocoa notes gives the finish a distinctly stout-like quality uncommon in bourbon.How to Drink Winter WhiskeyNeat is the ideal starting point — the 100-proof backbone holds up without water, and the chocolate-oat complexity rewards patient sipping. A single large ice cube opens up additional sweetness without diminishing the roasted grain notes. For cocktails, consider these three: an Old Fashioned, where the inherent cocoa depth pairs beautifully with a demerara sugar cube and orange peel; a Boulevardier, where the oat-driven earthiness complements Campari's bitterness in place of a lighter bourbon; or a Hot Toddy, a natural winter match where the warming spice and dark chocolate notes amplify with honey and lemon.Best For Bourbon drinkers looking for something genuinely different from standard corn-rye-barley mashbills Craft beer enthusiasts — especially stout fans — exploring whiskey for the first time Cold-weather fireside sipping sessions where depth and warmth matter Gifting to a whiskey collector who thinks they have tried everything from Kentucky Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat does Winter Whiskey taste like? Winter Whiskey delivers dry cocoa, roasted malted grain, and earthy oat spice with a long, warming finish reminiscent of a chocolate oatmeal stout. It is darker and more savory than a traditional bourbon, with gentle sweetness balanced by firm oak influence.How does Winter Whiskey compare to Woodford Reserve Chocolate Malted Rye? Both bourbons use brewing-inspired grains — Woodford employs chocolate malted rye while New Riff uses chocolate malt alongside both malted and steel-cut raw oats, resulting in a more textured, oat-forward profile. Winter Whiskey is also bottled at a higher 100 proof versus Woodford Reserve's typical 90.4 proof, giving it more intensity on the palate.Is Winter Whiskey good for sipping neat? Absolutely — the bottled-in-bond 100-proof strength carries the complex cocoa and oat flavors without excessive burn, making it an excellent neat pour. The layered mashbill rewards slow, attentive sipping where each grain's contribution can be appreciated.Where is Winter Whiskey made? Winter Whiskey is produced at New Riff Distillery in Newport, Kentucky, just across the Ohio River from Cincinnati. The distillery handles every step of production on-site, from mashing and fermentation through distillation and barrel aging in their own rickhouses.What foods pair well with Winter Whiskey? Dark chocolate truffles echo the cocoa notes in the mashbill; smoked brisket matches the earthy, oaky warmth; oatmeal cookies with dried fruit mirror the grain character; sharp aged cheddar cuts through the sweetness with savory contrast; and pecan pie complements the toasted oak and gentle caramel undertones.What sizes does Winter Whiskey come in? New Riff Winter Whiskey is available in the standard 750ml bottle format.Is Winter Whiskey worth the price? Winter Whiskey positions as a premium seasonal bourbon that justifies its price through an unusual mashbill, bottled-in-bond provenance, and a Grand Gold medal from the San Francisco World Spirits Competition. For drinkers seeking genuine novelty rather than another standard Kentucky bourbon, it represents strong value in the craft bourbon tier.Why Winter Whiskey?The five-grain mashbill — featuring both malted and steel-cut raw oats alongside chocolate malt and Pale Ale malt — is virtually unmatched in American whiskey. This is not a gimmick; the Grand Gold medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition confirms the execution lives up to the concept. New Riff's commitment to bottled-in-bond standards means full transparency on age and proof, with no shortcuts in a category increasingly crowded with sourced and flavored products. For anyone who has wished a bourbon could taste like a rich, roasted stout, Winter Whiskey is the most credible answer Kentucky has produced.
