New Riff Balboa Rye Kentucky Straight Rye Whiskey

New Riff Balboa Rye Whiskey is a journey into heirloom revival and bold innovation. This standout expression was one of the distillery’s first specialty whiskies, born from a passion for uncovering forgotten grains and reimagining what rye whiskey can be. At the heart of this release is Balboa Rye, a heritage grain once popular in the 1940s and nearly lost to time. Thanks to a longtime partner and corn farmer who had been quietly cultivating Balboa on his land, New Riff saw the perfect opportunity to bring history back to life.

Distilled with care and vision, this rye whiskey likely marks the first time in decades that Balboa Rye has been used in a spirit. The result is a profile unlike any other on the market today. Aged for four years and bottled in bond without chill filtration, it delivers an expressive spectrum of flavor—shimmering layers of spiced fruit, vibrant grain character, and a complexity that reveals itself with every sip.

Balboa Rye has become a cult favorite among collectors and connoisseurs alike, with each release gaining more anticipation than the last. This is not just a bottle of rye—it is a tribute to American farming heritage, to creative distilling, and to the kind of craftsmanship that refuses to follow the usual path. Available now for a limited time at Quality Liquor Store. Taste the legacy while it lasts.

TASTING NOTES

Nose:
Red fruit and clove-y progressing to pure rye bread/grain notes, black and white pepper.

Palate:
Dryish entry, developing clove and horehound candy notes, with the rye bread carrying from the aroma; chewy, broad texture.

Finish:
Fine length and detail, echoes of the horehound, pink peppercorn, a saturating finish.