New Riff Distilling Unveils Eight-Year-Old Bourbon Whiskey 

New Riff Distilling has announced the release of its 8-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, the distillery’s oldest bourbon yet released and an unprecedented “first fruit” of initial whiskeys set back for further aging. Available beginning March 8 — a nod to the age of the whiskey — this addition is the newest installment to New Riff’s core product lineup.

A new riff on a coveted classic, this 8-year-old expression of New Riff’s award-winning flagship bourbon is bottled without chill filtration at 100 proof with a mashbill of 65% corn, 30% rye and 5% malted barley. 

“As much acclaim as we have received from the bourbon community for our 4-year-old, bottled-in-bond and single barrel offerings, we knew the real excitement would come from genuinely older whiskey,” said co-founder Jay Erisman. “And here it is — the beginning of the future and the next wave of New Riff.” 

While known for their commitment to bottled-in-bond standards, Erisman said New Riff made the difficult but necessary decision to waive that status for this release, focusing on a wider distribution network than previous specialty releases. Despite meeting all other requirements of a bonded whiskey, due to the comparatively small production from the earliest years of New Riff, this release blends bourbons from two distilling seasons aged a minimum of 8 years. 

“New Riff remains entirely committed to producing bottled-in-bond whiskey,” Erisman said. “Ongoing production and future releases at younger ages will absolutely continue with our groundbreaking paradigm of Bottled-In-Bond Without Chill Filtration.” 

New Riff 8-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey has a suggested retail price of $67.99. It is now available for presale ordering at newrriffdistilling.com with pickup at the distillery gift shop beginning Friday, March 8. It will be available for online ordering and shipping beginning March 8 at 11 a.m. EST and across New Riff’s national distribution network in the coming weeks. 

15 STARS announces release of 8&15 YO Private Stock and First West Rye Batch 2-SSDD

15 STARS recently announced the limited release of its  8&15 YO Private Stock Fine Aged Bourbon – with an updated age statement from the previous 7&15 Year expression – along with its second batch of the award-winning First West Rye Whiskey. Both expressions are now available on the shelves of select retailers in Kentucky, Indiana, Tennessee, Missouri, Georgia, and Louisiana, Florida, Massachusetts, Oregon, and Illinois, as well as online through Seelbachs and 15STARS.com.

15 STARS 8&15 YO Private Stock Fine Aged Bourbon, bottled at 107 proof (53.5% ABV), is a blend of Kentucky straight bourbons aged 8 and 15 years, a familiar expression to fans of the previously released 7&15 Private Stock. Its MSRP is $139.

“We were proud to have shared the previously released 7&15 Year Private Stock in 2022, but this updated expression, with the extended aging, takes the complex blend of flavors to the next level,” shared Ricky Johnson, 15 STARS co-founder. “The 8&15 YO Private Stock Fine Aged Bourbon exemplifies what 15 STARS strives to accomplish with each special release—crafting the finest whiskey with no expense or effort spared.”

In addition to the release of the 8&15 Year Private Stock, 15 STARS is releasing its second batch of the award-winning First West Rye. Previously gaining top acclaim in 2023 at the New York World Wine & Spirits Competition as “Best in Show,” First West Rye Batch 2-SSDD (recognizing that Batch 2 is crafted from the same spirits but bottled on a different day) is a select blend of straight rye whiskeys aged 9, 7, and 6 years from Kentucky, Indiana, and Tennessee, bottled at 105 proof (52.5% ABV). This whiskey showcases distilling from America’s “First West”, which in 1795 was centered on Kentucky, the first state west of the Appalachians and included the Northwest and Southwest Territories. MSRP is $89.

“Being able to bottle the First West Rye again allows us to continue sipping and enjoying one of our favorite expressions from our portfolio,” adds Johnson. “We know the 15 STARS family will love the second batch just as much as the first, if not more.”

15 STARS portfolio can be found at select retail locations and fine restaurants in Kentucky, Indiana,  Tennessee, Missouri, Georgia & Louisiana as well as online at 15STARS.com. 

The Quiet Man Irish Whiskey introduces Barman’s Code, a limited-edition 10-year-old single-malt Irish whiskey finished in Marsala wine barrels

It’s the best of both worlds. Award-winning Irish whiskey from Northern Ireland and a touch of sweet Marsala wine from Sicily come together in Barman’s Code, the first in a series of limited-edition offerings from The Quiet Man Irish Whiskey. Aged ten years and finished in Marsala wine barrels, The Quiet Man Barman’s Code Irish Whiskey is bottled at 86 proof (43% ABV) and will be available to consumers across the globe at a suggested retail price of $54.99 per 700-ml bottle.  

The Marsala wine barrels used to create Barman’s Code impart a hint of fruity sweetness to the 10-year-old single-malt Irish whiskey. The result is a flavor profile which features a nose of candied fruits and honey; subtle notes of spice and cherry on the palate; and a sweet, fruity finish with a touch of heat.

“We know consumers are looking for special, one-of-a-kind expressions in the whiskey space, and that is exactly what we intend to deliver with this new series – extra-aged, single-malt Irish whiskey finished in unique secondary barrels,” said Allison O’Brien, brand manager for Luxco’s Irish Portfolio. “This is our very first Quiet Man variant where we’ve increased the proof from 80 to 86 for a full-bodied, robust flavor profile. We know what we have here is really special.”

Barman’s Code pays homage to John Mulgrew, a career bartender in Belfast and the father of The Quiet Man founder Ciaran Mulgrew. The elder Mulgrew’s nickname was ‘The Quiet Man’ because of his uncanny ability to listen to patrons and keep their secrets. After 50 years behind the bar, he always stayed true to the ‘barman’s code’ and told no tales.
The Quiet Man Barman’s Code Irish Whiskey is produced in small batches (1,500, 6-in cases) and bottled in Northern Ireland. To find a bottle or learn more, visit TheQuietManIrishWhiskey.com.