Day 19

New Riff
Bottled in Bond
Balboa Rye

Style: Blend of Kentucky Straight Rye

Mashbills: 95% Balboa Rye, 5% Malted Rye

Aged: At least 4 years

Proof: 100

Cost: $56.99

Why I chose it: New Riff was 2022's Advent calendar surprise distillery for me and made many participants' top three pours last year. I discovered this particular whiskey at an event filled with amazing pours where it finished as a top 5 pick for me among the 20+ premium whiskies I sampled while experiencing the Eminem cover band "Shady". Factoring in the price, I think it's an unbelievable pour and value. The Balboa heirloom rye grain gives a unique flavor that just popped out to me and was one that I had to find. This bottle took the longest journey to track down, requiring supplemental shoppers and a trip to Indiana (thank you Justin!). Our second bottled-in-bond (BIB) and first BIB rye of the calendar.

Distiller's page: https://www.newriffdistilling.com/spirits/balboa-rye-whiskey/