New Riff Distilling announced the subsequent release of its award-winning Balboa Rye, the Newport distillery’s acclaimed specialty whiskey initially released in 2019 and carefully distilled with trusted heirloom grains. 

“Balboa Rye holds a special place in our hearts and in the story of New Riff, as it’s the first whiskey ‘riff’ that we created with an heirloom grain,” co-founder and vice president Jay Erisman said in a news release.  

Balboa rye is an heirloom grain dating back to the 1940s and was a very popular rye variety in the region. New Riff has distilled batches of Balboa rye for years, likely the first distillery to do so in decades and the only known example currently on the market. 

Bottled without chill filtration at 100 proof with a mashbill of 95% Balboa rye and 5% malted rye, Balboa Rye opens with spiced, red fruit and clove notes, progressing to hints of pure rye bread and black and white pepper with an emergence of a horehound candy and pink peppercorn presence to finish. 

“When we first encountered Balboa rye from our trusted corn farmer, we knew it had the potential to create something truly extraordinary. Now having expanded Balboa production, we’re excited in 2025 to bring it back for the first time in over a year,” Erisman said. 

Balboa Rye has earned numerous accolades, including Best Rye and double gold at the fall 2020 Barleycorn Awards, double gold at the 2021 San Francisco World Spirits Competition and additional double gold and gold medals at both those competitions. 

Balboa Rye has a MSRP of $54.99 and will be available beginning Friday, Jan. 31, at 11 a.m. EST at select retail locations throughout the distillery’s distribution network and for online shipping through the distillery’s website (where available). Bottles will also be available at the distillery. 

Read more: New Riff Announces Leap to National Distribution

What could it be?! 👀 pic.twitter.com/I7yjQF5FsI

— New Riff Distilling (@NewRiff) January 23, 2025

About New Riff 

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 quarter, half and full barrel picks complete with personalized labels.