Kentucky’s New Riff Distilling is pushing beyond traditional boundaries with its 2026 Single Malt Whiskey, a release that reads more like a blending experiment than a conventional expression. Instead of relying on a single grain bill, the distillery combines six distinct mashbills, each contributing a different layer of character to the final spirit.

The foundation starts with 100 percent pale ale malt and heirloom Chevallier malt, joined by a high-rye malt and three roasted variants—chocolate, caramel, and crystal. This combination creates a base that leans equally into brightness and depth before it ever sees a barrel.

Maturation takes a similarly expansive approach. The whiskey is aged across five cask types, including traditional bourbon barrels, charred new oak, red wine casks, Pedro Ximénez sherry barrels, and port pipes. Over six to ten years, these vessels shape a profile that moves from toffee and dark fruit to spice and cocoa, with each cask contributing its own influence rather than blending into the background.

Bottled at 111.7 proof (55.85 percent ABV) and left non-chill filtered, the final expression retains a dense texture and full-bodied structure. The decision to include Chevallier malt—a grain more commonly associated with 19th-century brewing—adds a historical thread, nodding to pre-Prohibition American whiskey traditions while still feeling distinctly modern.

The 2026 Single Malt arrives May 15 at $69.99 through New Riff Distilling and select retailers, with limited quantities expected.