The Kentucky-based New Riff Distilling has announced the launch of its latest single malt whiskey.

New Riff Single Malt Whiskey – 2026 Edition (55.8% ABV) is a 7 Year Old cask strength Kentucky single malt whiskey, matured in a combination of new charred oak casks, de-charred toasted oak casks, ex-Bourbon barrels, Spanish Oloroso Sherry casks and Pedro Ximénez Sherry casks.

This latest release has been produced using a mash bill comprised entirely of malted barley, including 11.7% Maris Otter, 14.1% Golden Promise, 27.7% beer-inspired Barleywine malt, 16.5% Belgian Quadrupel malt, 18% Scottish peated barley and 12% Chevallier — the historic British heirloom barley popularised by the 19th-century brewing scene, now making its first appearance in a New Riff whiskey.

New Riff Single Malt Whiskey – 2026 Edition, the fourth release in the annual series, features some of the distillery’s oldest malt whiskeys to date, highlighting the time-honoured heritage of malted barley alongside Kentucky’s sour mash traditions.

The 2026 release is said to open with broad, oaky and toasted notes that develop into rich dark fruit, cacao and smoky citrus on the nose. Layered oak-forward flavours lead to a juicy, sweet-fruit palate and chewy texture, with sherry oak and smoky notes rounded out by a zesty orange marmalade character and lingering peat smoke on the finish.

New Riff Distilling stands among the first — and remains one of the few — pioneering distilleries bringing this emerging whiskey category to market. The distillery began producing batches of malt whiskey shortly after its founding in 2014 and released its inaugural batch in 2023.

Commenting on the launch, Brian Sprance, Master Distiller at New Riff Distilling, said: “This is one of the most creative whiskeys we make, and a blend we look forward to revisiting every year. These whiskeys are inspired by malted barleys used in the brewing industry, reimagined through our Kentucky regimen. This year, we were especially excited to introduce Chevallier malt into the blend, a variety that brings a distinct character and adds another layer to the overall profile. We’ve spent years working with a wide range of malts, and that experience is really shown through how this whiskey comes together. Each component can stand on its own, but the real magic is in how they interact, showcasing our expertise in blending and bringing all of those elements into balance.”

New Riff Single Malt Whiskey – 2026 Edition will be available from May 15th through selected retailers across the US, for a RRP of $69.99.